Donald Raymond Sears Sr.

Donald Raymond Sears, Sr., 86, resident of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at the Lovelace Woman’s Hospital home surrounded by his family on April 16, 2025. 

Donald was born in Clayton, New Mexico, on July 12, 1938. He grew up in Clayton and Los Alamos, New Mexico. Donald enlisted in the Navy in 1956 and served a majority of his time on the Destroyer U.S.S. Ozbourn. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged in 1959. He worked as a drafting engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife until his retirement in 1992.

 Donald and his first wife Irene had two children, Eva and Jude. He was married to second wife Laura for 42 years until her death in 2010. They had four children, Donald Jr., Robert, Donica and Cathy. Donald was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He loved spending time with all his family and talking about his family history. He never met a stranger. Donald was a talented artist and painters. He mostly painted New Mexico’s rural landscapes. Donald had an adventurous soul. He was always willing to try something new at least once He was a jokester and would anything to make you laugh and smile. 

Donald is survived by his children, Eva Campbell, Jude Sears (Angela), Donald Jr. (Jodi), Donica Fernandez (Charles) and Cathy Valdez. 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and his sisters Florence Sears Sandoval, Marcella Kramer and Liz Ramirez (Tony), many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Laura, his son, Robert, his parents Lewis and Frances Sears, brother Lewis, parents-in-law Adriano and Eliza Martinez and brother-in-law, Fred Kramer. 

Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Rio Rancho, NM, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, with a Rosary at 10:00 am and Funeral Mass at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park.