Donald Clayton Derner, 86, of Front Royal, Virginia passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia.

Services will take place in the spring at a date to be announced.

Mr. Derner was born on September 18, 1937 in Buffalo, New York to the late Clayton and Lorraine Derner. He is also preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ann Lynn Derner.

Prior to becoming the Emergency Services Coordinator for Warren County Fire and Rescue, Mr. Derner was a decorated 26- year veteran of the District of Columbia Fire Department. Donald began his career as a firefighter with the Spring Brook Fire District in New York State as a volunteer. Later while attending the Washington, D.C. Fire Training Academy, Mr. Derner was a trumpeter for the United States Navy School of Music band.

Donald was consistently active in retired firefighter associations and his homeowners’ association in Front Royal, Virginia.

Together with Ann they enjoyed nearly every cross-country train excursion available across the United States and Canada.

Surviving Mr. Derner are his daughter, Barbara A. Canter and husband Philip of Hughesville, Maryland; his two sons, Christopher D. Derner and wife Alison of Nashville, Tennessee and Ethan A. Derner and partner Lorien Sekora of Portland, Oregon; his five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Children’s National Hospital Foundation and/or the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.