Republican Party stalwart and Reno lawyer dies at 81

RENO -- Richard W. Horton, a prominent Reno lawyer who had been active in state Republican political circles, died Thursday, according to his family. He was 81.

Horton was chairman or co-chairman of all of former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Paul Laxalt's campaigns in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. He also was chairman for all eight campaigns waged by former Rep. Barbara Vucanovich in the 1980s and '90s.

He ran an unsuccessful 1956 race against Democratic Rep. Walter Baring, and was chairman of the Washoe County Republican Party from 1957 to 1959.

He specialized in litigation of business disputes as a senior partner in the Nevada law firm of Lionel, Sawyer and Collins from 1980 until his death.

The Tonopah native served in the Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946 and again in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.

Survivors include his wife, Sheila, and five children. There will be no public funeral service, but a private memorial service will be held at a later date, his family said.