Donald R. Horton, founder of the Arlington company that leads the nation in homebuilding and bears his name, has died, the company announced Friday.

ARLINGTON – Donald R. Horton, founder of homebuilder D.R. Horton, has died at the age of 74. Horton served as the chairman of the board since its inception in July 1991 and was President and CEO from July 1991 until November 1998.

The cause and date of his death were not disclosed, but the Arlington-based company called it a "sudden passing."

Donald R. Horton — founder and namesake of one of the country's largest homebuilders, D.R. Horton Inc. — has died. The cause and date of his death were not disclosed, but the Texas-based company said in a May 17 announcement that it was a "sudden passing." He was 74.

Donald R. Horton, who built his first home in 1978 in Fort Worth and grew his company into the nation’s largest home builder, has died, Arlington-based D.R. Horton announced Friday. He was 74. David V.