Andrew Donner

Fire Captain Andrew Donner was a member of the Fort Osage Fire Department in Buckner, Missouri. Captain Donner fought a courageous battle with lung cancer, which was attributed to occupational toxins and fumes. He passed away on August 27, 2019 at the age of 36.

Donner was born in Independence, Missouri and grew up in Blue Springs. He was raised by his parents, George and Christine, along with his older sister, Rebecca. He was active as a child, enjoying camping, baseball, hunting, fishing, sports and traveling. As a student at Blue Springs High School, he completed the necessary certifications to become a Firefighter/EMT and went straight to work in the career field.

Donner met his future wife, Jessica, at the Fort Osage Fire Department, where she worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic. They got married and had a son together, Alaric. Donner cherished their time together and they could be found outside, hunting, fishing and playing baseball. He loved his family with all his heart. He was also a seven-year participant in the 9/11 Kansas City Memorial Stair Climb, which honored the NYC Firefighters who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The events of that horrible day inspired Donner to become a firefighter. He loved his job, enjoying the camaraderie with his fellow firefighters and the training and education he participated in. He embraced the latest technology and firefighting techniques and shared his knowledge and skills when training the newest members of the crew. He also achieved an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. In turn, he moved up in rank from Firefighter/EMT to Firefighter Specialist to Captain. His wife now spends time lobbying the government to make improvements in safety on the job for all firefighters along with presumed occupational cancer for workman’s compensation benefits.

Fire Captain Andrew Donner is survived by his wife, Jessica, son, Alaric, parents, George and Christine Donner, and sister, Rebecca.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Donner family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.