Don Lee and Pat Donoho - Two Great Lives Celebrated

[richjh]

Pat Donoho and Don Lee both lived lives that left a huge footprint on the bass fishing scene and now the time is here to celebrate lives filled with laughter, love and success as get togethers have been scheduled for Donoho at Lake Mead on Friday, Arpil 27 and in Concord Sunday, April 29 for Lee.

Don worked until his final days to make bass fishing a thriving entity out West and was in large part responsible for the best days of bass fishing on the Left Coast. Pat Donoho was one of the stars promoting the brand Lee represented and was one of those rare fishermen who could win anywhere and still inspire friendship.

Here is the information for Don Lee's celebration:

To all family and friends of Don Lee there will be a “Celebration of Life” held for Don at the Concord Hilton located at 1970 Diamond Boulevard, Concord, CA 94520, phone number 925-827-2000 on April 29th from 1p.m. to 3p.m. This will be a great time to stand up and tell stories, anecdotes and experiences that you had with the man who was so near and dear to many of us. If you know that you would like to get up and relate some stories or history about Don, please email Gary Bradford at fsh4bss1@verizon.net , so that we can put you on the list. If you decide when you get there that you would like to get up and share some stories we will definitely be able to give you the time to do it. If you can’t make the Celebration or just prefer to have your thoughts read, please forward the information to Gary Bradford at the above e-mail address. If you have pictures that you can scan or that are digital already please send them to Nicole Almassey at CNSafelight@aol.com by April 25, if you are unable to scan them please bring them to share. If you know that you will be able to come please R.S.V.P. to Nicole at the above e-mail address, to help us with the logistics. Please join us for a few hours of remembrance of the good times that we had with the man that meant so much to the fishing and outdoor industries of California and beyond. The Hilton is offering a $94.00 room rate, just mention that you are attending Don Lee’s Celebration of Life.

The party for Pat Donoho is being organized by his great friends Bobby and Sandy Ellis. Here's the info (forwarded by Fred Ward):

There will be a Memorial for Pat on April 27th (Friday) at Callville Bay in the lounge starting at 10:00 A.M. Bump Elliott has been kind enough to agree to say a few words and help put on this tribute to Donoho. If you would like to share one of your experiences or stories about Pat we would love to have you say a few words. If you have any pictures you would like to share please bring them with you and they will be displayed in the lounge. Because of Kim & Randy Roundtree a tree will be planted close to the lounge overlooking the lake so Pat can see the fishermen when they weigh-in there will also be a small plaque in his memory. Special thanks to Vern Price for picking up and delivering the tree and helping plant. There will be a “guest book” for signing in the lounge. Lying Lenny will sign a picture of himself for $500.00 and might even tell you the truth. Please forward or contact your friends that knew Pat that might want to attend.

After the “Celebration of Life” and a short boat ride for the family, lunch (which will include sandwiches, pizza and chicken fingers) along with water and soda will be served in the lounge. The lunch was donated by Pat’s fishing friends and poker buddies. There will be a “cash” bar.

Please no flowers but a card would be great. Please “RSVP” (rp@beauto.com) if you plan on attending so we can plan accordingly.

All of us would like to thank Callville Bay Marina for letting us put on this event, Callville has always been friendly and has welcomed the fishermen.

Thanks

Sandy & Bob Ellis

pat with bass.jpg

head shot Lee.jpg

[Gary Dobyns]

I lost two great friends within days of each other. Both Pat and Don were a big part of Western Fishing for more than THREE DECADES. I will always miss these two class act guys!!