Baker/Union County ranching communities mourn loss of 22-year-old Clay Martin
By Logan Bagett on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
NORTH POWDER – A young rancher, firefighter, coach, volunteer, and prominent North Powder community member has tragically died in a ranching accident. Clay Martin, 22, was involved in an agricultural accident on April 20th, 2026. Details around the incident have not been released.
Since his passing, an outpouring of support has been shown by the community. Fundraising efforts at the time this article was written on April 23rd had exceeded $38,000 with donations continuing to come in. A fundraising page for the Martin family noted, “At 22 years old, Clay was a proud rancher. A career he was destined for from a young age. After graduating, Clay stayed connected with the students at Powder Valley by coaching middle school sports, refereeing, and helping his father, Riley, coach the high school football team. Clay leaves behind his young family, Belle and Clancy, as well as his parents, Lacey and Riley, brothers Tucker and Dom, sister Maylee, grandparents Aaron Kasper, Cheryl Martin, and Curtis Martin, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.”
Donations in memory of Clay Martin are being accepted by the La Grande and Baker City branches of Old West Federal Credit Union.
