Larry Mahan was an American professional rodeo cowboy, widely considered to be one of the greatest rodeo competitors of all time.
Born on November 21, 1943, in Salem, Oregon, Mahan began his rodeo career at the age of 14 and quickly made a name for himself in the sport.
Mahan earned two bull riding world championships and six all-around world titles during the course of his career in the National Finals Rodeo’s Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit. Along with his daring riding style, he was renowned for his ability to compete at the highest level despite injuries and hardship.
Mahan had a significant influence on both the Western clothing market and the rodeo sport. He played a significant role in the growth of the western wear market by collaborating with businesses like Wrangler and Tony Lama to design cutting-edge new items for rodeo cowboys and fans.
Along with his accomplishments in rodeo and Western clothing, Mahan was renowned for his charitable endeavors.
He was a founder of the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, which offers money to rodeo competitors who have been hurt or are having financial difficulties.
Mahan had his share of difficulties throughout his life despite his many accomplishments. He competed at the National Finals Rodeo in 1978 when he suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury that temporarily crippled him from the waist down.
He did, however, make a spectacular recovery and returned to the rodeo circuit in just two years.
Mahan later struggled with health problems, such as a blood malignancy called multiple myeloma. Prior to his death on May 7, 2023, at the age of 79, he had been receiving hospice care at home for three years.
An upsurge of eulogies and condolences from the rodeo world and beyond followed Mahan’s departure. Ty Murray, a member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, referred to Mahan as “the greatest cowboy who ever lived,” while Trevor Brazile, another rodeo icon, commended Mahan’s “unwavering determination and competitiveness.”
The effects of Larry Mahan’s legacy will endure both inside the rodeo community and beyond.
His efforts in the sport, the Western wear industry, and his charitable activities have had a lasting impact on everyone he has come into contact with. He will be regarded as a true icon and legend in the rodeo community, and those who admired and respected him will pay tribute to his memory.
Larry Mahan was married twice. His first wife was Darlene, whom he married in 1962 and divorced in 1972. They had two children together, Kellie and Denny.
After his divorce from Darlene, Mahan married his second wife, Karen, in 1973. Karen was a longtime supporter and partner of Mahan in both his rodeo career and his western wear business.
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