EL PASO - 
 
 UPDATE SUNDAY 4:39 P.M: The body of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has been transported from Sunset Funeral Homes in Northeast El Paso to an airport. 
 
 UPDATE SUNDAY 2 PM: The Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA that the death certificate will list a heart attack as the official cause of death for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. 
 
 
 
 UPDATE: U.S. Marshals, along with DPS officials are escorting the body of late Justice Antonin Scalia to Sunset Funeral Home. The funeral home was selected by his family, according to the funeral director there. He tells us Scalia will be there until tomorrow while they prepare and embalm the body. 
 
 ABC-7 has confirmed the body of the late Justice Antonin Scalia will be delivered to Sunset Funeral Home in northeast El Paso sometime early Sunday morning. It will then be prepared for the trip back to Washington. The body will be driven, not flown, from Marfa, Texas. 
 
 EL PASO -- An El Paso source close to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia tells ABC-7 that the 79-year-old died in his sleep last night after a day of quail hunting at Cibolo Creek Ranch outside of Marfa, Texas. 
 
 
 
 The Justice did not report feeling ill and retired to his room after dinner. The source, who was traveling with Scalia, told ABC-7 a priest was summoned to administer last rites. 
 
 El Paso Catholic Diocese Spokeswoman Elizabeth O'Hara tells ABC-7 Catholic Priest Mike Alcuino, in Presidio, was called to the ranch, where he administered Justice Scalia's last rites Saturday afternoon. 
 
 
 
 Scalia was the longest-serving Justice on the current Supreme Court at the time of his death. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, and was unanimously confirmed without a nomination fight to become the Court's first Italian-American justice. 
 
 Scalia and his wife, Maureen, had nine children. Born in Trenton, New Jersey March 11, 1936, he was less than a month from his eightieth birthday. 
 
 The issue of his replacement is virtually certain to a major political story during a presidential election year. ABC-7 managing editor Eric Huseby said, "Republican senators will be under enormous pressure from their donors and electoral base to refuse to confirm an appointment from President Obama that would tip the balance of the Court to a 5-4 majority of Democratic appointees. And the President will surely do all he can to make that position as politically unpalatable and costly as possible." 
 
 Tom Goldstein, who writes about the Supreme Court for SCOTUSBLOG.com doubted that confirmation before the election is possible. "Theoretically, that process could conclude before the election," he wrote Saturday. "But realistically, it cannot absent essentially a consensus nominee - and probably not even then, given the stakes. " 
 
 Scalia's legacy is enormous. CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said Scalia was one of the "handful of most influential Supreme Court justices in history." He was the Court's leading originalist, fiercely dedicated to the idea that the meaning of the words in the Constitution are fixed based on the framers' understanding at the time they were drafted, and not subject to reinterpretation in later times. 
 
 He argued passionately against the contemporary idea of a “living Constitution" that evolves and changes with the times. 
 
 “The Constitution is not an organism. It’s a legal text,” Scalia was quoted as saying in a recent Bloomberg Business article. “It means today what it meant when it was adopted.” 
 
 His wit, sarcasm and passion for intellectual battle were legendary as well. In his dissent against last year's landmark ruling affirming the right to same-sex marriage, he concluded a passage questioning the majority assertion that marriage promotes a freedom of intimacy by suggesting that marriage has historically tended to restrict options for intimacy, and suggesting that people, "Ask the nearest hippie." 
 
 Here is the complete text of a statement issued by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.: 
 
 "On behalf of the Court and retired Justices, I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away. He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his family." 
 
 Here is the complete text of a statement issued by Texas Governor Greg Abbott: 
 
 "Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution. His fierce loyalty to the Constitution set an unmatched example, not just for judges and lawyers, but for all Americans. We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers." ||||| U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia found dead at West Texas ranch 
 
 Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead of apparent natural causes Saturday on a luxury resort in West Texas, federal officials said. 
 
 Scalia, 79, was a guest at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in the Big Bend region south of Marfa. 
 
 Scalia arrived at the 30,000-acre ranch on Friday and attended a private party with about 40 people that night, according to a federal official. 
 
 He left the party and retired to bed earlier than others, according to Donna Sellers, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Marshals Service. 
 
 When he failed to appear at breakfast, a person involved with the ranch went to his room, where he discovered his body. A priest was called to administer last rites. 
 
 A federal official, who asked not to be named, said there was no evidence of foul play and it appeared that Scalia died of natural causes. 
 
 RELATED: Inside the West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead 
 
 Chief U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia, of the Western Judicial District of Texas, was notified about the death from the U.S. Marshals Service. 
 
 U.S. District Judge Fred Biery said he was among those notified about Scalia's death. 
 
 "I was told it was this morning," Biery said of Scalia's death. "It happened on a ranch out near Marfa. As far as the details, I think it's pretty vague right now as to how," he said. "My reaction is it's very unfortunate. It's unfortunate with any death, and politically in the presidential cycle we're in, my educated guess is nothing will happen before the next president is elected." 
 
 RELATED: Ted Cruz, Donald Trump among those to react to Scalia's death on social media 
 
 The U.S. Marshal Service, the Presidio County sheriff and the FBI were involved in the investigation. 
 
 Officials with the law enforcement agencies declined to comment. 
 
 A gray Cadillac hearse pulled into the ranch Saturday afternoon and left about 5 p.m. The hearse came from Alpine Memorial Funeral Home. 
 
 Scalia's body was taken to El Paso, where it will be escorted back the nation's capital by U.S. marshals and U.S. Supreme Court Police. 
 
 RELATED: Scalia 'respected and idealized' by St. Mary's law students 
 
 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement Saturday afternoon, calling Scalia a man of God, a patriot and an "unwavering defender of the written Constitution." 
 
 "He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution," Abbott said. "We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers." 
 
 Scalia's death has far-reaching implications for the Supreme Court and a round of major cases the justices are set to decide this summer, including Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, which challenges the university's affirmative action policy, plus a case that contests Obama's immigration policy and another that reexamines the meaning of "one person, one vote," said former U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez. 
 
 RELATED: Key opinions by Justice Antonin Scalia 
 
 President Barack Obama is unlikely to successfully name a new justice to replace Scalia before his second presidential term ends, Gonzalez said, because Congress will block any appointment he tries to make. 
 
 "I don't see that the Republican-led Senate would confirm anybody chosen by President Obama," Gonzalez said. 
 
 Gonzalez only met Scalia once, when he spotted the justice walking in the U.S. Capital to view a Supreme Court exhibit. Gonzalez asked him how Scalia was doing; Scalia said, "Fine." 
 
 "I prevailed in my only exchange with the Supreme Court," Gonzalez said. 
 
 The death immediately became an issue in the presidential race as during a GOP debate Saturday night, five of the six candidates taking part urged Republicans to block any attempt by the president to get his third nominee on the court. 
 
 Only Jeb Bush said Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. 
 
 President Obama, in remarks to the nation, praised Scalia as a brilliant legal mind who influenced a generation of lawyers and students. 
 
 The President also announced his intentions to nominate a successor, saying he plans to fulfill his constitutional responsibility to fill the vacancy. 
 
 Scalia was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. 
 
 Staff writers Vianna Davila, Tyler White, Richard A. Marini and John MacCormack and the Associated Press contributed to this report. ||||| Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter 
 
 AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia “a man of God, a patriot and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law” in a statement issued Saturday afternoon that said the 79-year-old justice has died. 
 
 CBS News tweeted Scalia was found dead at a West Texas ranch. 
 
 BREAKING: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia found dead at West Texas ranch at 79 — CBS News (@CBSNews) February 13, 2016 
 
 CBS News reported Scalia “appeared to die of natural causes,” according to a U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson. 
 
 The replacement for Scalia, who was a fierce conservative on the court, would be President Barack Obama’s third Supreme Court nomination, CBS News reported. Former President Ronald Reagan nominated Scalia to the court in 1986. 
 
 Many current and former political officials — including Abbott, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former President George W. Bush — weighed in with statements of mourning following reports of the justice’s death. 
 
 Cruz, who is vying for the Republican presidential nomination, tweeted, “We owe it to [Scalia], and the nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next president names his replacement.” 
 
 Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement. — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 13, 2016 
 
 In his statement, Cruz said Scalia “will go down as one of the few justices who single-handedly changed the course of legal history.” 
 
 “As liberals and conservatives alike would agree, through his powerful and persuasive opinions, Justice Scalia fundamentally changed how courts interpret the Constitution and statutes, returning the focus to the original meaning of the text after decades of judicial activism,” Cruz’s statement continued. “He was an unrelenting defender of religious liberty, free speech, federalism, the constitutional separation of powers and private property rights. All liberty-loving Americans should be in mourning.” 
 
 Abbott said Scalia set an example for citizens. 
 
 “His fierce loyalty to the Constitution set an unmatched example, not just for judges and lawyers, but for all Americans,” Abbott’s statement continued. “We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.” 
 
 Bush said Scalia will be missed. 
 
 “Laura and I mourn the death of a brilliant jurist and important American, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia,” Bush’s statement said. “He was a towering figure and important judge on our nation’s highest court. He brought intellect, good judgment and wit to the bench, and he will be missed by his colleagues and our country.” 
 
 North Texas Congressman Pete Sessions commented on Twitter about Scalia’s legacy. 
 
 Justice Scalia's legacy is clear – he renewed our nation's belief in the rule of law and reinvigorated how we view the Constitution. — Pete Sessions (@PeteSessions) February 13, 2016 
 
 “I pray that future generations of American patriots will continue to champion the Constitution like Justice Scalia did, and I pray for his family during this difficult time,” Sessions said in a statement. 
 
 Sen. John Cornyn called Scalia “brilliant, principled and resolute in his beliefs.” 
 
 “The author of some of the most consequential and best-written Supreme Court opinions, Justice Scalia will be remembered as a giant of American jurisprudence,” Cornyn’s statement read. “Justice Scalia’s commitment to the law was unwavering, and his devotion to his faith and to his family was unquestionable. Sandy and I are saddened by today’s news, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.” 
 
 Presidential contenders other than Cruz offered thoughts on Twitter regarding Scalia’s death, as well. 
 
 The totally unexpected loss of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is a massive setback for the Conservative movement and our COUNTRY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2016 
 
 Jeanette & I mourn the loss of Justice Scalia, and our thoughts & prayers are with his wife Maureen & his family. pic.twitter.com/e03KRZRM6q — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 13, 2016 
 
 My thoughts and prayers are with Justice Scalia's family and his colleagues on the court who mourn his passing. pic.twitter.com/Y51xUMMEId — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 13, 2016 
 
 Gov. Kasich's statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. pic.twitter.com/MAypwTGQR2 — John Kasich (@JohnKasich) February 13, 2016 
 
 Statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: pic.twitter.com/xazj9dDd5c — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 14, 2016 
 
 My statement on the sad loss of a great man, Justice Scalia: https://t.co/H3GGBgk6LH — Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) February 14, 2016 
 
 At Mass, Columba & I prayed for Justice Scalia, who was devout in 
 
 faith and has been brought home to God in heaven. https://t.co/Bumxa6Ikrs — Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 14, 2016 
 
 (©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
– Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead Saturday at a resort outside of Marfa, Texas, KVIA reports. According to the San Antonio Express- News, the 79-year-old appears to have died from natural causes. Scalia was the longest-serving justice currently on the Supreme Court, having been nominated by Ronald Reagan in 1986. In a statement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called Scalia “a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law." “We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law," CBS DFW quotes Abbott's statement as saying. Scalia spent Friday hunting quail at the Cibolo Creek Ranch and told friends before going to bed that he wasn't feeling well, reports CNN. His body was found in his room after he didn't show up for breakfast Saturday. In a statement, Chief Justice John Roberts called Scalia an "extraordinary individual" who was "admired and treasured by his colleagues." The Chicago Tribune notes that the conservative judge's "sharply worded dissents and caustic attacks on liberal notions were quoted widely, and they had an influence on a generation of young conservatives," the paper states. Scalia's death gives President Obama the chance to get his third nominee onto the Supreme Court, CBS News reports, though that might be tough in an election year.