John Alister MacGregor
John Alister MacGregor passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 12, 2026, after a long battle with congestive heart failure and COPD.
John leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, perseverance, and devotion to his family. He faced adversity with determination, welcomed others into his home, gave of his time, and remained committed to the people and causes he cared about. Those who knew him will remember his convictions, his resilience, and the lasting impact he had on the lives of his family, friends, and the many people he served throughout his life.
To know John was to know a man of strong opinions and a generous heart. Those who knew him understood that he could be both stubborn and deeply caring—qualities that made him uniquely himself.
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, on November 20, 1935, John faced adversity early in life. After the death of his father while John was still in high school, and with a mother whose health was often fragile, he learned resilience at a young age. When his family purchased a resort and relocated to Hurricane Deck, Missouri, he met a young woman named Mary Lea. That meeting changed the course of his life.
John and Mary Lea celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this June, a milestone that reflected a lifetime of devotion and love. Together they built a family and enjoyed opening their home to friends. In December, they left this home and relocated to Seattle Washington to live with their daughter, Jill.
John served briefly in the United States Marine Corps, carrying with him the discipline that Marines are known for. He spent most of his professional career in broadcasting and television station management, retiring following the sale of WJTV in Jackson, Mississippi.
Service to others was a cornerstone of John’s life. He volunteered with hospice for decades, participated in prison ministry through Chapel of the Cross, steered the Adopt-a-School program during his time at WJTV, and worked as a volunteer probation officer helping troubled youth. He believed in second chances, in showing up for people when they needed help, and in giving back to his community.
A stroke robbed him of his ability to speak in his final years—a profound loss for someone who had always expressed himself with humor and conviction. Those who loved him continued to recognize the same strength and resilience that had defined him throughout his life.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Lea; his children, Jill MacGregor of Seattle, Washington, Jack MacGregor of San Diego, California, and Daniel MacGregor and his wife, Alyson, of Brandon, Mississippi; and his cherished granddaughters, Leah and Ella.
He was preceded in death by his father, Maxwelton MacGregor; his mother, Edna (Hysell) MacGregor; and his sister, Margaret Palmer.
Burial will take place on July 2, 2026, at Tahoma National Cemetery near Seattle, Washington. A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Cross in Madison, Mississippi, on August 15, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. CST.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in John’s memory to the or the American Lung Association.