Obituay: Edward J. "Jack" Horgan


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Edward J. "Jack" Horgan, age 96, passed away March 12, 2011, at his home at Classic Residence. Jack was born in Reno on Aug. 14, 1914, to Jack and Veronica Horgan. He graduated from Reno High School, and attended University of Nevada for two years before transferring to Santa Clara and graduating in 1936.

On June 26, 1940, Jack married Grace Cantlon. They had three sons: Mike (Jan), Tom (Terry) and Pat.

During WWII Jack served as a captain in the Marine Corps. When the war was over, he returned to Reno and worked at Commercial Hardware until his retirement in 1980. After he retired, he and Grace bought the TH Ranch at Pyramid Lake and lived the lives of gentleman ranchers.

During his life, Jack was a commercial pilot with multi-engine and seaplane ratings. He was a member of the SAE fraternity, 20-30 Club, Optimist Club, Rotary Club of Reno, Washoe County Horseman's Association, Nevada State Horseman's Association, Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church, Nevada White Hats and the Nevada wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

His community involvements included being an Eagle Scout and a scoutmaster, serving two terms on the Washoe County Fair Board, two terms on the Washoe County Grand Jury, past director of the Nevada State Historical Society, past director of Hanna Boy's Center, past president of the Nevada White Hats, past president of the California Retail Hardware Association, former chairman of the Mayor's Citizen's Advisory Committee, former chairman of the Reno Urban Renewal Agency and past president of the Reno Rodeo Association.

Jack was an avid Western history buff having retraced the complete Lewis and Clark "Voyage of Discovery" and visiting every known rendezvous site of the mountain men. He also produced, along with Grace, a slideshow on the Virginia City Waterworks.

A viewing will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 at Walton's Funeral Home, 875 W. Second St., Reno. A funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 24 at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church, 1138 Wright St., Reno. Following interment at Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, a reception will be held at the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice Foundation of Northern Nevada.