At 2:30 PM PT, July 1st, California rodeo lost both a friend and a dedicated bullfighter. Donny P. Martin passed away at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno from injuries he received Sunday, June 15th at the California High School Rodeo Finals in Bishop. In a phone conversation with Donny’s brother, Larry, he stated that Donny had what doctors described as a devastating brain injury; in fact, the doctors were surprised that he survived as long as he did.
Donny, 42, was born December 11, 1965, in Idaho Falls, Idaho and was currently a resident of Cottonwood, California. He worked as a concrete finisher when not on the road as a bullfighter. He also had a passion for fly-fishing and snow skiing He was survived by his mother, Mary, and his father Jim, two brothers, Larry and Logan, and one sister, Pam, along with other family members and numerous friends.
For over 20 years at a striking 6 feet and approximately 185 pounds Donny was a familiar figure in the rodeo arena dressed in his Wrangler baggies, multi-colored shirt and black gold hat. During his award winning career he was honored eight times as Bullfighter of the Year by the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association. He was also a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) from 1994-2004 and of the California High School Rodeo Association from 1994 until his death.
Donny’s accident happened Sunday evening, June 15 at the finals while Matt Mello and Dan Snyder were feeding the bulls. Two bulls began fighting with one smaller bull and when Matt opened the gate to let in Dan the smaller bull raced for the gate. Matt swung the gate to stop him but instead the bull lifted the heavy gate off its hinges and threw it over Matt. Matt hollered that a bull was out and as the bull fled down the ally Donny did what came natural to him – he tried to stop the overly excited bull before he could hurt anyone. The bull, which Donny had worked with many times before, hit Donny with full force lifting him off the ground. Donny landed on the hard ground in such a way causing the brain injury. It was immediately apparent he was severely injured and he was taken by air ambulance to Reno, Nevada.
Donny was the type of rodeo cowboy that considered the fans his friends. He along with four other cowboys had just finished visiting with a special fan that is suffering from a terminal disease and spent over two hours visiting with him. He loved the sport, the fans and yes the bulls. He was a true cowboy to the end.
The Donny Martin Family Crisis Fund has been established at Members 1st Credit Union, 5070 Rhonda Road, Suite H, Anderson, CA 96007. Donation checks should be made payable to Members 1st. Deposits to the fund can be made at any Members 1st Credit Union location as long as the specific fund is clearly indicated, bank officials advised. North State Recycling, located at 2041 Girvan Road in Redding is accepting all recyclable metals or CRV plastics for the Donny Martin Family Crisis Fund. When dropping off items, simply specify the fund where donations are to be placed.
Funeral arrangements pending.
You may visit this website for more information: http://donny-martin.com/
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