Kenneth N. “Big Kenny” McGregor, Sr.
December 25, 2012
Kenneth “Big Kenny” McGregor, 76, went home to be with the Lord on December 25, 2012, at his home, laying back in his recliner. Kenny was born in Des Moines on January 25, 1936, to Everdell and Thomas McGregor. In his adolescence he had a knack for anything mechanical, and earned his first experience tearing things apart at his grandpa’s place. He received his education in the Des Moines Public School system, and later the United States Air Force, where he served for three years and seven months as an aircraft mechanic for jet fighters.
After the military, he came home and married the love of his life, Kathryn, and from that union they had seven sons and three daughters, and of course his wife’s first son, Jimmy, Jr., whom he dearly loved and raised as his own.
In 1976, Kenneth and his wife met Reverend Jeremiah Reed and they repented and were baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost. From that point on, Kenneth’s mission became helping in the church in any way that he could. He was a deacon, baptizer, Sunday school teacher, did carpentry for the church buildings, security, and was on the board during his tenure. He loved to be a help to the pastor and would do anything that was requested of him.
Kenny was the proprietor of Ken’s Trash Removal Service, and from that he branched off and formed Brother’s Two Automotive Services which he successfully operated with his brother and sons. He managed some government contracts and was the chief officer at Saylorville Lake and handled maintenance there. He also did contractual work at Red Rock Lake and Stockton Lake through the Army Corp of Engineers for four years. In 1983, he started working with youth at Iowa Junior Careers, which merged into the United Youth Careers, and he successfully ran that from 1984 until 2009. During those years he touched the lives of thousands of youth, and he only stepped away when his health took a turn for the worst. His favorite saying was, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.” Our father was a work horse, so we know the Lord allowed him to get down on his health because he needed to come spend a few years with his own family who desperately needed him.
Kenneth leaves to mourn his memory, daughters, Anna (Harvey Sr.) Ricks, Lillie (Antonio) Ward, and Marjorie Watson; sons, Kenneth Jr., Everett Sr., Kevin (Katrina), Robert Sr., Terry Sr. (Kimberly) and Jermaine; 32 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and foster children, Lavern Jr. and Yvonne Campbell.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; sons, James F. Ewing Jr. and George David Lee McGregor; both of his parents; a sister; and his first grandchild, Harvey Lee Ricks Jr.
Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 30, 2012, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Kenneth will be held laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery next to his wife Kathryn in the Veterans section.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Alberta D. Hill
01/02/2013
Love you guy's and I am so sorry that we are not physically able to be with you all during this time. However, we are with you all in spirit and are grieving his physical presents; but his spiritual presents are everlasting. Please know that Deacon McGregor has left an impression upon my familys lives and me for a lifetime. We will always love him deeply and I thank God for the love he as always shown us.
God Bless you all
Antonio Ward (son-in-law)
01/01/2013
Well dad Kenny's sitting in your easy chair and we had a great New Year's celebration in your honor. We ordered all kinds of your favorite pizza and the kids tore the house up playing. We looked at your photos and talked about our days kicking it with you. I can't wait to tell you about your birth date in 24 more days. We are going to get cake and let the kids do what they do. Love you!
Lillie Ward
12/31/2012
Dad you had so much love and support at your homecoming celebration that it was just humbling. I thank the Lord for all the family and friends that traveled the dangerous highways to say goodbye. You have proven what it meant to be loved. Everyone at Hamilton's Funeral Home treated you so good and it showed how beautiful you were in your casket. I will continue to live the life that you taught us to live and I will participate with my siblings and extended family that want to participate with me. I will do that in the McGregor name that I was born into. When I was 15 I made a promise to you that I would always stick by you and I did until your end. I love you always and forever and will never forget you the rest of the days of my life.
Jody Smith
12/30/2012
Dear Family,
Please know that I share your sorrow at the loss of our brother.
Losing a brother is one of the most difficult challenges we must face in life. May you find comfort in celebrating the time you had together and the wonderful memories you shared with brother Kenny. Focus on the special times, the good times, the laughter, and the joy.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with you.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Love Sister Jody
Annette Graves
12/30/2012
Hey brother we didnt get to spend alot of time together as adults, but my childhood memories bring me back to you and dad sitting at the table talking for hours and loud so very loud !!. This is a celebration, your home now !. Love you sis Annette.
Terry McGregor
12/30/2012
We know it is possible to be the best at anything we attempt in life or at any level of statue. I can remember working with Dad and how it was always fun for each of us to sell out all our boxes of candy and help our friends in their goals too! Dad set up a video arcade to have great and safe activities before or after work; not-to-mention, we went skating, bowling, to church, amusement parks, and etc.! That was our model to stay busy and out of trouble and believe it or not people were enthused by that statement too. We know in life not to have respect of person when it involves right from wrong; furthermore, Dad treated many of the Junior Careers kids like his own! Back in the days, Ken Kat, had taught us to give one half of what we made in profit to our Mom and that a man works from the sweat of his brow! It is a blessing to give than receive and you cant beat God in giving! Kenneth McGregor Sr. was a perfectionist in many things he did or done! Dad was proud of me on many jobs I had and encouraged me to work as a man and this is something I stride for each and everyday!
Thank you Lord for the many thoughts and prayers that have been expressed especially these last few days of this year 2012; never the less, for allowing Dad to have been blessed with a beautiful life. Dad was a true man who fortified the meaning of fighting obstacles that is hard to imagine going through. On December 25, 2012 he was 76 years and 11 months old; never the less, I cannot question why so soon. In this life I have seen that all things are possible through trials and tribulation and that God sets our pace!
Love you Ken and Kat
Leon Williams (cousin)
12/29/2012
I am honored to be your cousin. I have been impressed by your faithfulness in the Lord and your shining example to others in the Lord. I wait anxiously for the day to reunite with you on the upcoming great day of the Lord. My condolences to your family and friends for their great loss.
Antonio Ward (son-in-law)
12/29/2012
You were the father figure I never had. The best boss I ever worked under and wonderful instructor including teaching me carpentry, plumbing, and general maintenance. You gave me your daughter and I never looked at you as a father-in-law but as my dad. Thank you for everything that you blessed me and her with through our 22 1/2 years of marriage and especially for all them times when I was being stubborn and you told me, "be a peacemaker and just let her argue man, give her some space." Those words have helped us to have a beautiful marriage. I love you dad and will hold you forever in my heart. Your son, Tony
Stacie Williams
12/29/2012
You're in a better place now Ken. I wish i could have seen you one last time before you moved on, but i'm sure that we'll one day be able to sit down and have some good conversations about the good old days. I will most certainly see you on the other side!!!! Love you and may you rest in peace.
Maurice McClain
12/29/2012
Grandpa, You will truly be missed. I can't put into words how you were "grandpa" even before Nae and I united. It makes me proud to be called one of your grandsons. I will always cherish your encouragement, God fearing spirit, and strength. I know you are dancing and praising the Lord in Heaven just like you did when you were here. Love you Grandpa!
Kimmie
12/28/2012
I became apart of this family over 23 years ago and became the daughter in law on Dads birthday so that allowed us to celebrated birthday and anniversary together! My Father- in -law filled that void in my life and became my Dad! A Very knowledgeable and great businessman with many with great business senses! My Father in law, my Dad I will not forget you for everything you have blessed me with! Love You Dad (father-in-law)!
Kathryn J. McGregor
12/28/2012
Our Grandpa has touched many of our lives, hearts, as well as, blessed each of us with what it is to be a father of many! Grandpa will be truly missed spending the many hours of time with his family, church, selling candy, fixing houses, the hugs, laughter, dancing, taking us to the mall, birthdays, and many more things to mentions! He has encouraged many including myself when I was pregnant with my second child; never the less, didnt talk down to me because you know he raised many kids! I love my Grandpa and Grandma! He told me life is a blessing and get back in the Service! I will miss them simple things like when Grandpa would say quotes like seven on my way to Heaven or dancing down the church aisle as a proud Saint of Christ! I will miss my Grandpa Kenneth McGregor Sr.
Kelly and Roxi Evans
12/28/2012
Our prayers go out to our dear cousin's family. We will miss Kenny's winning smile and pleasant personality.
Antyonae McClain
12/28/2012
My heart cries but no tears fall as I write this because I know your smiling down over us thinking "How I got over" I cherish all those years of getting to ride around with you no matter where you were going, you always had your family with you. I can remember bringing my friends around and you always treated them as one of your own. I can't remember a time when you didn't have us all cracking up about something, even until your last day with us. I'll always count it a blessing to of had you almost 22 years! God makes no mistakes and I know that you are at peace.
Love you Grandpa!
Patricia Daye
12/28/2012
Well Bro you don't have to suffer anymore and I'm so glad for that. I will miss the laughter that you brought to all the family events and you were funny. It was hard for me to see you suffer but you fought the good fight so go home Bro. I'm sorry I can't be there to say goodbye to you. Love your baby sis Pat.