Heartbreaking final words of patriotic father moments before he died after putting lit firework on his head

The family of a man who was filmed dancing and then having a firecracker placed on his head have revealed his final words.

Allen Ray McGrew, 41, rarely drank, they said, and video footage still circulates that casts the last moments of his life in a derogatory light.

He smoked a cigarette — and danced — to celebrate the Fourth Day, wearing an Uncle Sam costume and a top hat and visibly drunk.

The father of one placed a large firework on his hat, which exploded, causing a head injury that killed him instantly. He was pronounced dead at the scene, outside the family’s South Carolina home.

His wife, Paige McGrew, recently revealed to The New York Post how he hugged her and his son just before the incident and told them, “You are my rock and my heart.”

The South Carolina man was filmed dancing before placing a lit firework on his head on July 4 — a decision that proved fatal

“We are traumatized,” his son, Hunter McGrew, 20, added two days after the much-publicized incident.

“He loved this country and looked forward to celebrating it every year,” stepmother Paige continued.

Both said the father celebrated the wedding “exuberantly” because Hunter had recently become engaged.

He and Paige also recently got married. They tied the knot last year after dating since 2017, she said.

Her social media photos show them both wearing matching “Mr.” and “Mrs.” shirts, while photos on his site show him and Hunter through the years.

The two appeared to be particularly close, with neighbors in the small town of Summerville calling McGrew “the nicest guy” in the neighborhood.

A neighborhood party was held there on Thursday to celebrate the holiday, with the McGrews and other residents setting off fireworks and enjoying drinks.

However, it was a special occasion because of Hunter’s recent engagement and Allen seemed eager to celebrate his future daughter-in-law’s entrance into the family with a show.

His wife Paige recently revealed how he hugged her and his son just before the incident to tell them: ‘You are my rock and you are my heart’

The incident happened outside the family’s Summerville home on Thursday during a neighborhood party celebrating not only the holiday but also his son’s recent engagement.

Dressed in a parotid-style attire, complete with a top hat adorned with the flag’s signature stars and stripes, he placed the fireworks on his head while doing a little dance in an attempt to “show off,” Paige said.

Dressed in a parotid costume, complete with a top hat adorned with the flag’s signature stars and stripes, he placed the fireworks on his head while dancing a little in an attempt to “show off,” Paige said Thursday after the incident.

The HVAC worker was found dead at the scene by emergency responders, suffering from head injuries. The party was abruptly ended.

The local coroner said the exploding device caused a severe head injury, killing McGrew instantly. In an interview with the Post and courier servicehis wife said she had just told him to stop playing with the fireworks when they went off and he collapsed.

“He was holding fireworks above his top hat,” she told the site, as footage of the incident continues to circulate online.

“I thought he was just showing off before he put it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it.”

On Saturday, she added how her husband celebrated his favorite holiday, having told the Post and Courier earlier in the week, “He was a patriot.

“He was proud of his son,” she continued. “And he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night.”

The decision brought the party – and the life of the beloved father of one – to an abrupt end

“He was proud of his son,” Paige said of the father’s final appearance. “And he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night.”

Meanwhile, the clip continues to be viewed millions of times online, raising concerns among the family over the way it portrays the family man as a “drunken fool”.

The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office are investigating the incident. The family says they are devastated by the viral footage.

They told the Post he is being wrongly portrayed as a “drunken fool” – an image that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In reality, he was their rock, the same compliment he paid them in his final moments.

Meanwhile, the clip has still been viewed millions of times online, despite its sensitive nature.