Soldier and Father of 5 drowns while saving child

On Friday July 26th US Army soldier Chris Ademah Masakah took his two young sons and their cousins to go swimming in the backyard of the vacation house they were renting in Arizona. While in the pool one of his nephews slipped into the deep end and Chris was able to save him before tragically drowning him self. His nine year old son notice his father struggling and called for help. Next his oldest daughter and brother attempted to CPR until medics could arrive on the scene. Sadly his heart never started pumping on its own again. He is now leaving behind his 8 months pregnant wife and his 4 children (2,9,9,18). His 9 years daughter is still in Kenya where they have been working to get her US citizenship so they could be a whole family. His oldest daughter is even suppose to be headed off to her first year of college in two weeks.

Mr.Masakah was a very humble man who always was their to assist anyone in need. He never missed a single one of his sons basketball games and always encouraged his family to do their best but believed mistakes were a key part to it. He loved all that came in contact with him and would do anything to see that others felt comfortable. Chris was our hero, our protector, our healer,our everything.

The family resides in Iowa but is originally from Kenya. The army would like to pay their respects in an honorable service. Due to culture aspects a body is not at rest until it is placed back in its original soil therefore his body will need to be sent back to Kenya. He was the bread winner of the family. Proceeds given to help in conjunction with this would be appreciated in honoring the life of a hero who’s last act was saving a child from drowning before sadly drowning him self.