John McAvoy McGregor

John McAvoy McGregor, 32, was born September 7, 1984 and passed on February 12, 2017. John was born in Mobile, Alabama, but grew up in Hoover, where he attended Creative Montessori School in Homewood, The Altamont School and Hoover High School. John graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program. He was on the Hoover Track and Field Team and was a member of the Scholars Bowl. St. Peter’s Catholic Church was home to his Boy Scout Troop 226 where he achieved Eagle and Order of the Arrow.

John attended the University of the South at Sewanee, TN, but after one year of study he joined the United States Marine Corp and was deployed to Iraq with his unit out of Bessemer, Alabama. Upon return, he resumed his studies in History and Philosophy. Immediately after graduation John deployed again to Iraq to “allow someone to come home”. After attending Cumberland School of Law for three semesters, he took a sabbatical for the Fall semester 2013 and applied for an AmeriCorps position at One Roof. According to his supervisor, “John wanted - needed - to do direct service for anyone in need. He truly was called to work to end homelessness, particularly among veterans experiencing homelessness.” The Firehouse Ministries Shelter became his permanent position, where he served as a case worker and member of the street outreach team. Regardless of all the good he did, regardless of the passion that drove him to help others, John couldn't quite get a handle on helping himself and lost his battle with PTSD.

John McGregor was preceded in death by his father, Robert P. McGregor, Jr. and his paternal grandparents, Marie Cunningham McGregor and Robert P. McGregor and maternal grandparents Kathleen and John McAvoy. He is survived by his mother, Molly McGregor of Hoover and brother Patrick McGregor, assistant Track and Field Coach at Samford University; numerous aunts and uncles and cousins from across the country. Also surviving of particular mention is Mary Laundry of Chicago, IL. Who is a “big sister” to Patrick and John.

There will be visitation with the family on Monday, February 20 at 8:30 AM with a funeral Mass celebrated immediately following at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Patton Chapel Road in Hoover. A full military burial will occur on Tuesday, February 21, at 1:15 PM at the National Cemetery on Hwy 119 South at the American Village, in Montevallo, AL. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to The Firehouse Shelter 3rd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL http://www.firehouseshelter.com or the Hoover YMCA, John Hawkins Parkway.

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.