Ex–President Reagan Dead at 93 After "Long Good bye"

Former President Ronald Reagan, an apparent born again Christian and perhaps unprecedented charismatic leader who reshaped the Republican Party and successfully fought Soviet communism abroad, died Saturday at age 93, after losing a decade long battle with Alzheimer's disease, his family and other officials confirmed Sunday, June 6.

Party comrade and current President George W. Bush learned of his death in France where he arrived to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D–Day, when allied forces began the battle to free Europe of Nazi rule on the beaches of Normandy.

Reagan, he said, "leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save." He called Reagan's death "a sad hour in the life of America." A black hearse carried a flag–draped coffin from the Reagan home to a Santa Monica mortuary handling arrangements, where it remained overnight, The Associated Press (AP) news agency reported.

During his final moments, Reagan’s children from his marriage to Nancy, Patti Davis and Ron Jr. were reportedly at his bed side in the Reagan home in the Bel–Air area of Los Angeles, according to family friend, Joanne Drake. Son Michael arrived a short time later, AP quoted her as saying.

Reagan's body was expected to be taken to his presidential library and museum in Simi Valley and then flown to Washington to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. His funeral was expected to be at the National Cathedral. The body was to be returned to California for a sunset burial at his library.

White House officials had been informed that "the health of the former president had changed significantly in the past several days," a person familiar with Reagan's condition reportedly said.