Leonard George, “Mac,” McGregor died on Oct. 1, 2017, from a heart attack and complications from cancer. He lived with the “can do” attitude from his Midwest upbringing, his U.S. Navy career and his devout Catholic life as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and Knight of Columbus.
On Aug. 26, 1935, he was born to Ellen (Geppert) and Louis McGregor in Platte, S.D., the fourth of eight children. Soon after, the McGregors moved to Berlin, Wis. In 1947, they settled on the family farm near Kimball, S.D. He graduated from high school in 1953. After some college and working, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1958. Soon this new Seabee was stationed at San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Leonard married Patricia (Krell) in Plankinton, S.D., on July 7, 1959. Making their home in Puerto Rico, their first-born Michael arrived a year later. In 1962, he transferred to Fort Belvoir, Va., joining the Navy Nuclear Power Program.
Over nine years the family grew, as Mark, Ann and Dean were born. Mac served six tours in Operation Deep Freeze at Antarctica’s McMurdo Station. The McGregors moved to Plankinton, S.D., in 1971, while he embarked on his final tour to Antarctica. In 1973, they went to Fort Gulick, Panama Canal Zone. Leonard gave his family a trip of a lifetime when they drove from Panama to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in 1976. Then, in 1978, after 20 years, Leonard retired from the U.S. Navy. He moved to Woodridge, Ill., working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and then Raytheon Corporation. In the year 2000, he retired from Raytheon. Mac and Patricia returned to Oak Harbor, their home for the past 17 years.
Leonard’s passions were family, the Knights of Columbus, gardening and fixing everything he could get his hands on. He and Patricia enjoyed traveling. This included all 50 states, several countries and many family, Old Antarctic Explorers and Navy Nuclear Power reunions.
Leonard is survived by his wife Patricia; daughter Ann (Tom) Marquardt of Watertown, S.D.; two sons, Dean, of Hamburg, Germany, and Rev. Mark McGregor, S.J. and daughter-in-law Debbie of Braidwood, Ill.; 10 grandchildren, Michael, Christopher, Tyler and Melissa McGregor; Cassi (Dustin) Paulson; Tehya (Brent) Griffith; and Heidi, Ruth, Matthew and Amy Marquardt; four great-grandchildren, Claire, Kate, Emeric and Edyn; and Leonard’s siblings, Wallace (Clara) McGregor, Ralph (Bonna) McGregor, Pat (Marlene) McGregor, Catherine (Leo) Harts, and Mary Ellen (Don) McSparen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael McGregor and his brothers Bill and Paul.
Visitation and Rosary were held Oct. 5 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor. His funeral Mass, with military honors, was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Oct. 6 at St. Augustine’s.
Leonard’s Burial Mass will be held at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Kimball, S.D., on Nov. 2 at 10:30 am. A reception will follow. Burial of his ashes will commence immediately after at St. John/Mitzvah Cemetery in Plankinton, S.D. South Dakota arrangements are entrusted to Mount Funeral Home, Platte, S.D.
Family suggests memorials in Mac’s name be made to the Knights of Columbus John E. O’Brien Council #3361 of Oak Harbor.
Washington arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com
