Donald Schurter passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the age of 85.

Donald was born on September 26, 1941, in Trenton, New Jersey, to parents, Melvin and Lucille Gray Schurter. After serving his country in the Air Force, Donald made New Mexico his home, mainly Albuquerque and Elephant Butte areas, where he was active in Heroes on the Water and Friends of Elephant Butte.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Schurter; second wife, Janyce Wood Smith; and sister, Barbara Barnett.

Donald is survived by his children, D’Anna Watson (Joe) of Schulenburg, Texas, Larry Schurter of Albuquerque, New Mexico, June Hicks (John) of McMinnville, Oregon, and Ted Schurter (Terri) of Ewing, New Jersey; grandchildren, Jordan Schurter, Brian Schurter, Joseph Watson, and Matthew Watson; great-grandchildren, Zoe Cridel Schurter; and those he considered his special family, Cindy Schurter Strickland of Wolf Creek, Oregon, Don Barnett of Rotonda West, Florida, Dick Smith of Schulenburg, Texas, Shane Absher of Tijeras, New Mexico; his best dog, Bandit.

His inurnment will be in a National Cemetery in New Mexico.