Deputy Chief Donald Raymond Kammerich, age 64, of the Pilot Grove Area Fire Protection District died Monday, March 10, 2025. Don was a lifelong resident of Pilot Grove, Missouri.

Don served with the Pilot Grove Area Fire Protection District for 35 years, following in his father’s footsteps. His father and one of his sons also served on the fire department. Don joined the department as a member and was promoted to assistant chief and later to deputy chief. Don’s knowledge of the Pilot Grove area, his mechanical skills and hazardous materials training, and his quiet strength were great assets to the department. Don realized the importance of a local fire department to the community for firefighting, but also the importance of a familiar face to a member of the community during a stressful time such as a fire, vehicle accident, or medical emergency.

Don worked for 45 years at the Pilot Grove Coop, which later merged with Prairieland FS, helping local farmers. Don was the outside manager, maintenance manager, and also sprayed local farms. Local farmers valued Don’s vast wealth of knowledge and would often contact him for advice.

Don enjoyed side by side rides, float trips, and working on their 23 acres. In his younger years, Don enjoyed riding his motorcycle, playing slow pitch and baseball. Later in life, Don enjoyed watching his sons play baseball in high school and watching them play slow pitch in recent years. His newest joy was spending time with his grandson, Ridge.

Even though Don loved his job and being a firefighter, his greatest love was his family. Don is survived by his wife of 39½ years, Diane. He also leaves behind two sons, Drew (Alisha) and Darrin (Isabella), and one grandson, Ridge. Survivors also include his brothers, Carl Lee, Randy, and Kevin, and sisters, Rachel and Peggy. Don was preceded in death by his parents, C.R. and Joan Kammerich, and a sister, Nancy Waller.

Don will be remembered as a loving husband, great dad and brother, fellow firefighter, an extremely hard worker at Prairieland, and a friend to many in the Pilot Grove area. His quiet strength and ornery smile will forever be remembered by those honored to know him. We miss you, Don.