James McGregor

James Peter McGregor, of Gettysburg, SD, formerly of Big Piney, WY, passed away in Gettysburg, SD, on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the age of 83. 

He was born to James Henry McGregor and Grace Burns McGregor on July 19, 1928 in Crookston, MN.  He was known by family and friends as “Mac” or “Jim” and grew up in LaMoure, ND.

James served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 24 years as a communications specialist.  Between military tours, he graduated from Moler Barber College in Fargo, ND, and did his barber apprenticeship in New Rockford, ND.  While in the Air Force, he traveled throughout the U.S. and other countries; each of his five children were born in a different state.  He was a veteran of foreign wars serving in Northern Africa; Laon, Frnance; Okinawa, Japan; and in Vietnam earning him several service medals.  In Vietnam, he initiated underground communication, which later earned him recognition from the U.S. Government.  James kept his achievements quiet, but later a briefcase of medals was discovered.  After his Air Force career, he moved to Big Piney, WY, where he owned and operated a barber shop for nearly thirty years.  James became a staple in the town until he retired at the age of 75.  He had a passion for the outdoors.  He loved to hunt and fish with his well trained dogs by his side.  He was also a car enthusiast and a good artist.

James is survived by five children: Tim (Mona) McGregor, Sidney, MT, Cindy (Juergen) Pfeiffer, Fargo, ND, Patrick (Jackie) McGregor, Kalispell, MT, Joan (Chris) McGregor Poer, Bismarck, ND, and Mike (Pia) McGregor, Fargo, ND; his first wife, Mary McGregor, Fargo, ND; and sisters, Marjorie (Gerald) Sweeney, Grand Forks, ND, and Evelyn (Ray) Harrison, Soap Lake, WA.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife, Jean McGregor, and five sisters, Dorothy Mattson, Susan Elnora Orban, Lucille Cox, Mildred Hilgers, and Theresa McGhie.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, LaMoure, ND.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. also at the church.  Burial will be at the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery near LaMoure.

An on-line guestbook may be signed at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com