- Editor
Donald F. Raymer
Donald Raymer. Courtesy photo.
Donald F. Raymer
Aug. 9, 1940 – May 27, 2025
Donald Passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in San Luis Obispo, California.
He is survived by his son, Donnie Raymer Jr. of Gold Beach, Oregon; his daughter, Donya Melcher of Albany, Oregon; his daughter, Stormy Brandon of Clearlake, California; three step- children he shared with his wife Rosa, Sherri Scott, Abby Brewer-Johnson and Rodolfo Uribe; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Donald is predeceased by his wife, Rosa Raymer; daughter, Cindy Sanders; and six siblings.
Donald was born in San Francisco and in 1968 joined the Army. He served two tours overseas as a bulldozer operator. He received the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Army Expert M16 Badge and two Overseas Service Bars. He was honorably discharged in 1972 as an Army sergeant.
In 1977 Donald Joined the South Lake County Volunteer Firefighters Association and was promoted to company officer. He retired in 2000 after 25 years of service.
As a firefighter, he was actively doing medical transport on the ambulance and was a water tender operator which he referred to as “His Baby.” He was also integral in the training of new firefighters.
He received many awards including Firefighter of The Year and The Memorial Star of Life, as well as the 2005 Stars of Lake County.
Donald was such a big part of the community and could always be found helping members of the public and during community events.
He helped with the Spirit of the Season toy collection and the Christas food baskets for many years. He worked on gathering and separating food and toys. He also helped his wife, Rosa Raymer, with the community center P.A.C.K for which he was the muscle for the organization. He built floats, remodeled the building and fixed whatever needed to be fixed.
Donald loved his little community and spent hours installing benches in front of local businesses under part of the beautification program. He also took “His Baby” the water tender through town for the first few years watering the trees that he had planted through this program.
Donald was one of those individuals that performed unselfishly for the community and the ones he loved, but would never take any credit or boast of his deeds. He was a genuinely good person who will be missed by everyone who knew him.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. at the Middletown United Methodist Church, 15833 Armstrong St.