Approximately 750 people attended a celebration of life for the late bull fighter Donny Martin July 11 at the Four Star Rodeo Ranch in Cottonwood.

The Redding Rodeo Association cooked up a traditional barbecue dinner of tri-tip and various salads and deserts. The celebration of life service, conducted by cowboy pastor John Ferreira of Fort Jones, included a blessing of the Spirit by Paul Rodarte, Jr., of the Paiute Tribe as well as music for the evening performed by cowboy Chad Bushnell, 18, of Red Bluff.

Born December 1965 in Idaho Falls, Donny Martin was injured June 15 at a rodeo in Bishop while helping to feed livestock. He succumbed to his injuries July 1, 2008, at Reno Renown Medical Center. The California and Nevada State High School Rodeo Associations has started a scholarship foundation in Martin’s honor.