A TRUE COWBOY TO THE END:
Donny Martin of Cottonwood enjoys spending time with his favorite bull of all times, Indian Valley. Indian Valley was a Four Star Rodeo Bull.

After first sustaining fatal injuries at the California High School Rodeo Association Finals June 15 in Bishop, bull fighter Donny Martin, 42, of Cottonwood left this world peacefully July 1 to fight bulls in God’s rodeo arena, a family spokesman announced.

While Donny and others were feeding bulls, one of the animals broke down a gate and escaped the pen. Donny, responding on his first instinct, went to calm down the bull and return him to the correct pen, witnesses said. The bull hit Donny with such force that it sent him flying into the air. Upon landing, Donny did so in such a way that it caused skull fractures and other injuries. He was immediately air lifted to Reno’s Renown Medical Center where he remained in critical condition until July 1.

Donny was an independent bull fighter and worked with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CCPRA), the Professional Bull Riders and the International Professional Rodeo Association. Donny also fought bulls for the California High School Rodeo Association and contracted out to Four Star Rodeo as a bull fighter for the past 20 years until his death. Donny won many awards over the years, his most recent was the CCPRA Bull Fighter of the Year for the 2007 season.

Donny was also a cement finisher and drove heavy equipment on wild fires while not on the rodeo trail.

Donny was a friend to all those that knew him. He went out of his way to talk to his fans and to help young cowboys learn more about the sport. He put himself in danger at each and every rodeo to protect cowboys and to take care of “his bulls.”

Last month, Donny and four friends went to visit a terminally ill fan and spent a few hours talking with him and sharing stories of events that took place at different rodeos.

Donny is survived by his mother and step-father, Mary and Hal Novak of McArthur, his father and step-mother, Jim and Debbie Martin of Penn Valley, brothers Logan and Larry and their families of Grass Valley and Penn Valley respectively, sisters Pam Farinha and family of Roseville, Lorrie Casarez and family of Penn Valley along with many nieces and nephews.

Donny was born Dec. 11, 1965, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Nevada Union High School, Grass Valley, in 1984.

A celebration of life and barbecue for Donny will be held at Four Star Rodeo Ranch on Gas Point Road in Cottonwood, July 11, at 6 p.m. The ranch is located 4.5 miles west on Gas Point Road.

Memorial contributions can be made to C.L. Taylor in trust for The Donny Martin Family Crisis Fund. Contributions can be sent to Members 1st Credit Union, 5020 Rhonda Road, Suite H, Anderson, Calif., 96007. Contributions can also be dropped off at any branch office of Members First Credit Union with the account specified.