Matthew Allen Mcgregor

Matthew Allen McGregor departed this life to enter his final heavenly resting place on April 26, 2023.  He was 59 years old.

Born to Donald Allen “Mac” and Dana Delores Koch McGregor on June 15,1963, Matt immediately left his mark on this world at an early age.  His wife and daughters regularly joke that the “hometown hero” is still a legend in the small town of Tallula, Illinois where Matt was raised with his siblings; the red carpet was always rolled out for Matthew when he came back to town!  Brother to Dawn, Donald, Carmen, Del, and David, Matthew was loved by everyone that knew him.  He was as genuine of a guy as you could ever hope to have met with a heart of gold; his personality was larger than life.

Matt married the greatest love of his life, DeAnna Lynn Keefner, on October 18,1984; Matt and DeAnna were married for 38 wonderful and eventful years.  Their love story began on June 18, 1983 at a softball tournament in Sherman, Illinois and the rest is history.  Their love was a special kind of love that we all hope for in our lifetime.  Lovingly known as her “handsome guy”, Matt would have moved heaven and earth for his “pretty girl.”  As rough around the edges as he may have seemed to an outsider, Matt was a true romantic.  He would meticulously plan every gift, every note, every gesture because he loved his one and only with his whole heart.  Two soul mates destined to spend their days loving one another.

Matt’s greatest accomplishment in this life was being THE BEST dad to his two girls, Nichole Renee and Kara Ann.  These two shared very special places in their dad’s heart along with their mom, DeAnna.  He was so proud of his girls and he made sure to let everyone know it!  He was the kind of dad that everyone wanted to be their dad.  Whether it be playing outside with the girls and the neighborhood kids, or calling almost daily for no reason, just to check in and tell the girls he loved them.  Matt would do anything for Nichole and Kara, no matter how crazy it seemed at the time.  If you asked him to do something, he was there.

Additionally, Matt was the world’s greatest papa (he even had the shirt that said that, too!) to Logan, Harper, and Brylee Sue.  He loved those three more than words can express.  He took pride in being at almost every first day of school, every ball game, every event that he could.  Matt was so involved in their lives that he coached Logan’s tee ball and coach pitch ball teams, and then went on to do the same with Harper.  He spent as much time as he could with his three grandkids and they loved every minute of being with their papa.

Matt McGregor was a man’s man, a rough and tumble kind of guy, who didn’t mind rolling up his sleeves and putting in a hard day's work.  He served our country faithfully for 28 years in the United States Army and three years in the Air Force National Guard.  He served multiple tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and other locations overseas to defend our country.  Matt retired from the Army in 2013 where he continued the mission as a civilian contractor training troops before deployment.

When Matt wasn’t working or coaching one of his grandkids, he could be found at the golf course.  He was an avid golfer who’d had the opportunity to golf all around the world and was known locally as being one of the best.  He was a fierce competitor who took pleasure in being the best.  Matt was known for winning money off the majority of his golfing companions and having a hoard hidden with his golf and casino winnings.  If it was something that could be bet on, odds are he would take your money and then some more.  Matt enjoyed beating his sons-in-law at Pickleball (especially Kara’s husband, Trey) and spending hours with his girls playing with them while talking trash.  He also enjoyed working at his pasture while spending time with his and DeAnna’s horses, Drummer Boy and Jill-A-Roo as well as Lollipop, the miniature donkey.

Matt is survived by the love of his life, DeAnna Lynn Keefner McGregor of DeRidder, LA; his two daughters Nichole Renee (Justin) Williams of Rosepine, LA and Kara Ann (Trey) Wynn of DeRidder, LA; his three grandkids Logan Alexander, Harper Grace, and Brylee Sue; his siblings David (Betty) Johnson of Girard, IL, Carmen (Rick) Van Wynsberg of Kewanee, IL, Donald (Tina) McGregor of Tallula, IL, and Dawn (Ed Hanson) McGregor of Springfield, IL; his beloved pets Bandit, Maggie Moo, Hannah Kitty, Joey, Gracie, Olivia, Drummer Boy, Jill-A-Roo, and Lollipop; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Matt is preceded in death by his grandparents Archie and Violet McGregor, his grandmother Elsie Koch Wooldridge, his parents, Donald “Mac” and Dana Koch McGregor, and his brother Del Johnson.

The world is a little less bright today without Matt’s light shining bright.  A man dedicated to his family who loved with his whole heart. A sarcastic man with a dry sense of humor who meant what he said and said what he meant. A straight shooter, no bull shit, kind of man.  A man who graced this earth with his presence for 59 glorious years.  His absence leaves a massive void in the lives of those who were privileged enough to know him and to love him.  Known as Matthew to his family in Illinois, Matt to others, Mac to close friends, Dad to his two daughters, and Papa to his grands, this man’s zest for life impacted more lives than he’ll ever know.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, May 1, 2023, also at Myers Colonial Funeral Home. Brother Jason Fortenberry will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be US Army Honor Guard. Honorary Pallbearers will be Logan Williams, Justin Williams, Trey Wynn, Dave Stratton, Tom Beckman, Paul Thorman, Will Sturgon, Donald McGregor, David Johnson, Brian Koch, Shawn Zeiler, Zach Chaudoin, Daniel Sundberg. Burial will follow at Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville, LA.