J. Laurence “Larry” Day

A life focused on service and empathy for others is a life well-lived. A kindhearted man of integrity and faith, Larry Day spent 90 years helping others, exploring the world and appreciating the beauty and diversity in life.

While those are certainly the most important facts about Larry, a more proper hard news lead for a life-long journalist would be: “John Laurence ‘Larry’ Day died on June 3 at the age of 90. He was born in Preston, Idaho, on Oct. 27, 1934 and was a journalist and educator for most of his life.”

Larry was proud to be a journalist and educator, but his primary identity was as a husband, dad, grandpa, father-in-law, friend, helper and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Margaret “Chris” Christensen on December 17, 1960, and spent the next 64+ years sharing a life that included two kids, Stefani and David, two grandkids, Allison and Evan, son-in-law Chris Magerl and daughter-in-law Jennifer (Rees) Day, along with extended family and friends.

A lifelong member of the LDS church, Larry served a mission to Uruguay and held a number of leadership positions, including bishop of the Lawrence Ward. Though a devoted Mormon, Larry’s personal beliefs sometimes conflicted with official church positions on social and political issues, but his views were always aligned with the teachings of Christ. Larry loved, supported and respected people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, country of origin, or other factors so often used to divide.

Growing up in post-depression Idaho with World War II casting a shadow over his formative years, it would have been easy for Larry to be a pessimist. But Larry was a dreamer for whom the world was a wonderful and marvelous place of discovery and exploration, filled with fascinating people and stories. That optimism, curiosity and appreciation for an interesting and complex world was the foundation for his career as a journalist and professor.

Larry earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism at Brigham Young University, followed by a Ph.D. in journalism at the University of Minnesota. His nearly 40-year career as a journalism professor included 13 years at the University of West Florida and more than 25 years at the University of Kansas. Larry’s primary focus was on international media, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to his academic work, he traveled extensively with the United States Information Agency (USIA) conducting freedom of the press seminars for working journalists around the world.

Larry was a two-time Fulbright Scholar, working in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the 1975-76 academic year and in Bogotá, Colombia, during the 1980-81 academic year. He served as director of KU’s study abroad program in Costa Rica during the 1982-83 academic year. His passion for journalism and international travel took him to five continents and more than 50 countries. Throughout his career and travels he inspired generations of students, forged global connections and created lifelong international friendships.

In the places Larry lived and traveled, it was the connections and relationships with people that inspired him the most. He saw the good in each person and was genuinely interested in their stories.

To honor his legacy of international travel, friendships and global education, the family suggests donations to the J. Laurence Day Study Abroad Award at the University of Kansas. The award helps support current and future students in their own journey of global exploration and cultural enrichment. Donations can be made by contacting KU Endowment at kuendowment.org/how-to-give and specifying the “J. Laurence Day Study Abroad Award.”

A celebration of life service will be held at Rumsey-Yost funeral home (601 Indiana in Lawrence) starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, followed by an open house reception.