Gary McGregor

Robert Gary McGregor was born on January 3rd, 1933, to Otto McGregor and Lida (Arnold) McGregor and left this earth for his eternal home on January 11th, 2024, with his favorite daughter, Tessie, by his side.  He was born at home in South Haven, Kansas.  Sisters Jean (15 yrs.) and Betty (13 yrs.) were elated as they looked at Gary, not as baby brother, but their own real life baby doll!  Talk about spoiled, he could do no wrong in his sisters eyes.  They took him everywhere they went because as far as they were concerned, he was their baby...toddler...child and their doting on him never stopped.  They went so far as to have to approve his girlfriends!

Gary graduated from South Haven High School in 1951. His senior year while playing football, his eyes caught a glimpse of a cute little cheerleader, cheering for the opposing team-the Caldwell Bluejays.  Everyone knows the rivalry between South Haven & Caldwell.  That cute little cheerleader was Grace Louise Cash, whom he later made his wife.

After high school, Gary enlisted into the United States Marines.  His kids always remember him telling them about an incident where he and another buddy got into a little trouble.  As punishment, they had to smoke cigars with mop buckets upside down over their heads and march in place for what seemed forever!  Gary received a medical discharge from the Marines and came home to marry his little cheerleader, Louise, on September 21st, 1952.

They wasted no time starting their family as Steve was born in September 1953, Tessie in May 1955, and Rick in April 1957. Gary always worked hard to provide for his family. He worked at the Caldwell Grain Elevator and was only 29 years

old when he lost the fingers of his right hand in a machinery accident in the grain elevator. He never let the accident hinder him, and there wasn't anything he still couldn't fix.  Gary had a love for hot rods and even being handicapped, he taught his boys how to build hot rods.  He enjoyed over the years watching his sons and eventually his grandsons continue in the love of building and driving hot rods. He and Louise entered their hot rod pickup in many car shows until it became to difficult to drive it.  But they continued to attend the car shows with their sons & grandsons.

Gary had many health issues where he could have taken early disability, but he never let it get the best of him.  This taught his kids to have a great work ethic and to NEVER give up!  When he and Louise retired in Caldwell, he had a little workshop in the backyard.  They loved to go antiquing and he had a HUGE collection of old fans, flashlights, guns, etc., which he displayed in his workshop.  When any family would visit, he loved to take them out to his workshop to show off his collection.  If you made a comment about liking something - you would usually find it in your car when you got ready to leave! He enjoyed passing his love of collectables on to his family (which his kids and some grandkids have acquired!!).

Gary is proceeded in death by the love of his life, Louise of 67 years, his parents, Otto and Lida, sisters, Jean McGregor Rickards and Betty McGregor Drake.

He is survived by sons, Steve (Colletta) McGregor and Rick (Jan) McGregor of Wichita, KS., daughter, Tessie (Todd) Dvorak of South Haven, KS.  7 grandchildren, Cory (Kari) McGregor and Joe (Shannon) McGregor of Haysville, KS, Jeb McGregor (Megan McDonald) and Mollie McGregor (Cesar Gutierrez) of Wichita, KS.  Aaron Dvorak, Zach (Kelli) Dvorak, and Nathan (Ashlynn) Dvorak all of South Haven, KS.  11 great grandchildren, Adyson, Evelyn, Daisy, Lincoln & Lila McGregor, Brooklyn, Cash, Zoe & Ada Dvorak, Waylon & Claude Gutierrez.  5 Bonus great grandchildren, Bryton & Bowen Hawk, Morgan McDonald, Gunnar & Brantlee Davis along with many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 17, 2024 at the Central Christian Church in Caldwell with Dr. Dan Price officiating. Private family interment will be held at the Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, KS.

Memorials may be made to Caldwell Area Hospital and Health Foundation and sent in care of the mortuary.