SFC (Retired) Donald Lynn Sander, of Lawton, passed away on October 8, 2026, in Oklahoma City at the age of 75.

Donald was born on May 29, 1951, in Belleville, Illinois to Lynn and Marylou (Packingham) Sander. With a father in the military, he moved around growing up, graduating from Muskegon High School in 1970. Donald immediately joined the United States Army, where he served for 22 years.

In 1973 while on leave for his brother's wedding, Donald met Elizabeth Susan Anderson. The two began to correspond while Donald was stationed in Germany. On January 26, 1974, the two were married in Muskegon, Michigan, and spent the next 52 years together.

Donald was a proud military man. During his military career, Donald served in Vietnam and was stationed at various locations around the world. He served as both a Gate Guard and Drill Sergeant at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Throughout his service, he earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Army Commendation Medal, among others. While serving as a Gate Guard at Fort Sill, Donald was known for his professionalism, positive attitude, and welcoming demeanor, which helped him build lasting relationships with Soldiers, families, and visitors throughout the installation.

Donald was a handyman who loved restoring old furniture, figuring out how to fix anything that was broken, and working with his hands. He never met a stranger and was always looking for ways to cheer others up with his positive attitude. He was known for saying he was "living the dream." Donald loved his family dearly and enjoyed taking his sons fishing and spending time with them. In his later years, his grandchildren became his world and they had him wrapped around their fingers.

Donald is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Sander; sons, Donald Jr. and his wife, Ria Sander, and Jay Sander and wife Danna; grandchildren, Alice, Wisdom, Richard, Destiny, Emilie, Thad, and Kaitlynn and her husband, Reece; great-granddaughter, Natalie; five siblings, Steven, Wesley, Hank, Tony, and Micky Lou; and special friend, Violette Weber.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn Cecil and Marylou Sander.

Services for SFC (Retired) Donald Lynn Sander are pending.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com