Larry Mahan cause of death

Larry Mahan, one of the best cowboys in ProRodeo history, died on Sunday, May 7th, at the age of 79. The cause of death is yet to be revealed.

But, a bone marrow examination in 2021 found that Mahan had cancer.

When asked about his cancer diagnosis, Mahan stated:

“I kept it quiet.

“so I could process how to handle it emotionally. And I came to the realization that it’s a challenge many people, young and old, have to deal with. And not everybody has horses, not everybody has cattle, not everybody has the lifestyle that we have the opportunity to live. So if I can help somebody, let’s put it out there.”

Mahan’s cancer was detected before it progressed to leukemia, and he was in remission as of May 2022.

Mahan, who was born on November 21, 1943, was a prolific roughstock cowboy throughout his career, competing in the NFR 26 times in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding.

He won the Bull Riding World Championship in 1965 and 1967, as well as six All-Around Gold Buckles.

Following his career, which lasted from 1964 to 1975, Mahan was one of the first inductees into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979.

Mahan is also a member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame among many others.

Outside of the racing arena, Mahan achieved success in the western wear industry with boot and hat lines, released a country song with Warner Brothers, and was the subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary “Great American Cowboy.”