Friend of Ronald Reagan and former US senator dies at the age of 96

Nevada politician US Senator Paul Laxalt died on Monday. He was often described as the “First Friend” because of his close relationship with Republican President Ronald Reagan.

Republican Attorney General Adam Laxalt wrote a moving tribute to his grandfather in his honor. The late senator was 96.

Senator Paul Laxalt died at a healthcare facility in northern Virginia on Monday. His wife, Carol, was by his side according to reports.

The pair married in 1975 and the senator was a renowned figure in Nevada politics. He served one term as governor, two terms in the US senate and as general chairman of the Republican National Committee.

For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa. His grandson, Republican Attorney General Adam Laxalt, praised his grandfather through a statement.

“He was the embodiment of the American dream, a pillar of the greatest generation, and he represented all that is best in American politics.”

Attorney General Adam Laxalt, August 7, 2018

Adam is running for governor and in June and won the GOP nomination. He called him the embodiment of the American dream.

“My grandfather was the rare man in the arena that never lost sight of who he was or where he came from," Adam wrote. He shared that his grandfather was both a light and a compass which was a testament to what a man should be.

Former US Senator Harry Reid described Paul as “the definition of what a leader should be: Kind, thoughtful and eager to extend a hand in friendship, regardless of political affiliation.”

He added that his legacy was secured as one of the finest leaders Nevada has ever known. “With a public-service career spanning four decades, Paul epitomized the very best Nevada had to offer by putting service above self," said US Senator Dean Heller in a statement.

Paul was married to Jackalyn Ross, the daughter of a prominent federal judge, and the couple had six children. After he married his second wife, Carol, he adopted her daughter from a previous marriage.

At the time of his death, the former senator had numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.