Funeral services for James Albert McGregor, 82, of Lexington were held Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at the Lexington First Baptist Church. Burial was at the Lexington Cemetery under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Mr. McGregor passed away Friday, October 27, 2023.
James was born March 5, 1941 to Wylie Jay and Lillian Ann (Barnes) McGregor. He graduated with the Comanche Indian Class of 1959. Right after high school, he joined the Army Reserve and then later Navy.
On June 3, 1960, he married Karen Gradyne Watson. Together, the couple raised three daughters, Kari, Shelly and Megan. The couple was married for 49 years before the passing of Karen. On July 1, 2014, James married Donna Sue Towns and they were happily married for nine years.
James was an extremely talented and accomplished man. He graduated with an associate’s degree in electrical engineering.After joining the Navy, he specialized in Morse Code and was a member of the Beach Jumpers, Unit #1, in San Diego, California, and he was a Radio Operator for the torch carrier in the 1984 Olympics. James assisted with the radio communication for the making of the movie Twister and worked with the micro-wave communication on Apollo 1. While serving in Ucusta, Japan, he climbed Mount Fuji. He was also a volunteer fireman for Lexington where he served his community for 20 years.
James would get up every day, drink his coffee, read and work on sudoku puzzles. He enjoyed gardening and woodwork, and made sure all his daughters and grandkids had one of his famous “cedar chests.” He cherished spending time with his daughters, grandchildren and sisters. He had a nickname for all his grandkids and the granddaughters affectionately referred to him as “Honey.” James was always sharing wisdom and his famous quote he will forever be remembered by was, “Remember who you represent.”
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen G. (Watson) McGregor; his parents, Wylie and Lillian McGregor; his sister, Patricia A. Combs; his nephew, Jerry Peltier; and his great-nephews, Will Weatherford and Jeffrey Griffith.
James is survived by his wife, Donna McGregor of the home; his daughters, Kari Spears of Lexington, Shelly Bryen and husband, Jeff, of Wanette and Megan Little and husband, Billy, of Lexington; his step-children, Cecil Maxey and wife, Shirley, of Jones, Debra Edgeman of Springfield, Missouri, and Becky Wright of Pilot Point, Texas; his sisters, Sharon Sweetman of Lexington, Norma Griffith of Norman and Jeanette Mercer of Elmore City; his brothers-in-law, Robert Watson and wife, Lene, of Norman and Sam Combs of Tishomingo; his grandchildren, Matthew Pickle and wife, Ashly, Ryan Spears, Broc Bryen, Alec Bryen and wife, Hayli, Cole Bryen, Jade Filibeck and wife, Mariah, and Payton Little; his great-grandchildren, Everett Pickle and Graycee Bryen; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and a host of friends.
He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.
Donation can be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 8111 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 425. Dallas, TX 75219.
Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonlittle.com.
