Larry Mayran

Larry Mayran passed away on July 5, 2017 at the age of 86 at his home on Lake Oconee. He was born on Jan. 17, 1931, to the late William Mayran and Grace Caplow Mayran in the Bronx, New York.  He graduated from New York University with a degree in journalism and interned at The Wall Street Journal as a proofreader. Soon, his career took him to Dallas, Texas, where he handled publicity and celebrity acts at the Empire Room for the Hilton Hotel. He then joined the Marketing and Publicity team in Arlington, Texas, for the Six Flags organization under the wing of the founder Angus Wynne.

He came to Atlanta as vice president of marketing for The World of Sid and Marty Krofft amusement park in 1976 and produced a grand opening the Atlanta Journal called "the most spectacular since ‘Gone With The Wind.”  He opened his own public relations firm in Beverly Hills in early 1980’s with a Who's Who list of clients from Los Angeles and New York to the Bahamas and London, including the Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge London, Westwood Marquee Hotel, Paradise Island Hotel and Resort, Beverly Wiltshire Hotel, L’ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills and the Mondrian Hotel Sunset. In the 90's he returned to Atlanta and finished his career at Chateau Elan in Braselton.

In semi-retirement he continued to write for Smith Communications, publishing articles in the Lake Oconee News, Eatonton Messenger and Lake Life magazine. His travel stories and photographs have been published in the Atlanta Journal, Los Angeles Times, San Diego Tribune, Miami Herald, the Fort Worth Star Telegram as well as magazines such as Southern Living, Points North, Sports Unlimited, Southern Distinction, Travelgirl and The Green. One of Larry’s many distinctive postions was as the golf editor of ON Magazine and he produced countless segments on behalf of his clients who were featured on CNN, CBS and various other news outlets.  In his endless pursuit of golfing ventures he traversed terrains ranging from sand greens in Tunisia to giant pot bunkers in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Larry’s passion and love of journalism allowed him to travel the world and share remarkable stories with thousands of readers. He visited more than 80 countries and journeyed close to the North Pole in Thule, Greenland, and all the way down to Patagonia, Chile, and Puerto Williams at the tip of South America near Antarctica. He also traveled to Mt. Everest, in Nepal, the highest point on earth, to the lowest point at the Dead Sea in Israel. Larry Mayran chronicled and photographed his thrilling travels allowing others to experience the world’s wonders from the comfort of home.
Larry Mayran served in the U.S. Navy during and after the Korean War aboard the U.S.S. Glynn, AP- 239, an attack troop transport ship.
 
Larry Mayran was a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) for nearly 50 years. He was awarded the SATW’s highest honor with a Marco Polo designation. Marco Polo membership is awarded by the SATW board of directors to members who have provided extraordinary service. In the 80's, he organized the SATW foundation as well as the “Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism” competition and also served on the board of directors.

At the age of 73, he received his Screen Actors Guild card for his role, Judge Broyles in the film “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius.” He enjoyed oil painting, gardening and, most of all, quality time with his family.

He spent his last days on earth surrounded by his loving wife Julie, daughter Maeda, son Jonathan and his favorite music, stories and beloved dog Maurice.  He is survived by his wife Julie Reynolds Mayran, son Jonathan Reynolds Mayran, future daughter-in-law Kimberly, daughter Maeda Leigh Mayran and eldest son Dr. Lawrence Wesley Mayran.  As a prolific writer and story teller, Larry’s life and works will continue to touch other people’s lives for time immemorial.  In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation in Larry Mayran’s honor to the Society of Travel Writers for the Lowell Thomas Foundation and Scholarship.  SATW Foundation, Elliot Giles, 2259 Compass Pointe South Wynd, Leland, NC 28451.    

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