Gold Rush fans around the world mourn the loss of the beloved John Schnabel. Grandpa John died this morning. Parker Schnabel took to Twitter to thank fans for their condolences, stating: “Thank you all for the kind words. Grandpa John lived a great life and was one of a kind. I am glad the world got to see an amazin
g man.”
Discovery provided the following statement from the Schnabel family: “We couldn’t have asked for a better father, grandfather and overall family man. He was a true legend and we appreciate all of your love and support as we celebrate his wonderful life.”
Grandpa John shared his gold mining expertise with his grandson Parker Schnabel on Discovery Channel’s hit series Gold Rush for six seasons. He just recently celebrated his 96th birthday on Feb. 11.
When we talked to Parker earlier this month just before the season finale, which he won, we asked him what Grandpa John had to say about his sixth season. “He was stoked. Actually, we were just down for his birthday. We had a great time. He’s 96 now.”
Born and raised in Kansas, John Schnabel packed his bags and headed north to Haines, Alaska, at just 19 years of age to join his father at making a go in the saw milling industry. He wasn’t there long before he turned his attention to serving his country during World War II, where he was in the Air Corps. After the war he returned to Haines where he purchased a mill and then later opened a hardware store. He even served as mayor of Haines. Not exactly sure when he officially started mining but he bought his first mine at age 68 — Big Nugget — and it was there that he taught Parker and Parker’s brother Payton to prospect, mine and handle all of the equipment.
He was a fabulous mentor, grandfather and TV personality people came to love. R.I.P.
Images Credit: Discovery Channel
Parker and family, I am very sorry about grandpa Johns passing. He was a great man. He touched the hearts of many people. I started watching the show from the beginning and it was always so good to see him each time he was on there. He will always be in our hearts. We were all very lucky that God let us have him in our lives . My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I’m so very sorry to hear about Grandpa John passing, I love grandpa John as if he were my own grandpa I always look forward to seeing him and Parker on the show rest in peace Grandpa my condolences go out to you and your family Parker sending out prayers of comfort!
Parker and the Schnabel family,
My condolences go out to all of you. Your grandfather was a great example of how all of us should exercise unconditional love. We have grown to love and respect him as well and will always remember him fondly. Name a mine after him. It would be a great honor.
Granfather Schnabel is not really dead; his soul lives on in Parker.
My deepest condolences are with your family, Grandpa John was a great man and I always looked forward to seeing him in the next episodes. Carry on Parker knowing that Grandpa was so very very proud of you.
P.s. the show just won’t seem fight without Grandpa !
Sorry for your loss. He was my hero
U R a lucky man Parker to have such a mentor for a grandfather,he loved you so,but now he’s walking on streets of gold and looking down on you with a big smile. Job well done.
What a blessing Grandpa Schnabel was to Parker, and Parker was to his Grandpa. In ones lifetime, if, an individual has 1/10th of the companionship, the kind words, the time spent teaching Parker and Parker learning from his Grandpa, WOW what very special gift! What a special relationship they had together. They are kindred souls. Never forget your Grandpa is still with you, Parker. Now it’s your turn to take what you have been given and remember, if you are half the man your Grandpa Schnabel was you will be a great man too!
My heart is breaking. I feel as if I lost him too. What a wonderful man. Big hugs to you and your family.
Thank you Schnable family for sharing such a kind, thoughtful, wise and loving man with all of us. There are not many men like him these days, and we are blessed to have “known” him through your family. God Bless your family. David and Jackie Bailey, Silverton, Oregon.
What a gentle person. What a nice legend he left for his family. He will be missed by all of his family and the world who adopted him as their grandpa via Gold Rush. Carry on Parker, you were trained by the best.
God’s blessings to the family.
I’ve never been so tied to a program on TV as this one.i aways loved seeing John as he was a very kind man and lived his life the way he wanted and he loved his family dearly and Parker alway remember the things your grandfather told you to help guide you threw your life.Celibrate his life because that’s the way he would want it. Love to the hole family.
Parker and family. May God give you peace at this time. Grandpa John lived a long and blessed life and left many who will remember him and the great man he was. He will always be with you and proud
God bless john parker you had one of the most wonderfull grandpas ever he made me smile and laugh always and he was a smart man who got his wish from god to see you rize and become a man and a successful one at that and he died one of the proudest grandpa s in the world and he went with all his dreams of you becoming a man in his footsteps Nd that was worth .more to him than all the gold you will ever mine,so parker keep his legend alive and going and gid bless you and your whole family. Todd robbins wasilla alaska
I loved his beautiful soul. And the love he and Parker had for one another was amazing. RIP.
im. Sorry. For. Your. Lost. Parker. Praying. For. You. And. Your. Family. God. Bless.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your grandfather Parker . It will be hard to fill that gentlemans shoes but you have lots of time for that. Thanks for sharing some of his life with us.he will be greatly missed. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family
To the Schnabel Family
Was very sadden to hear the news of Grandpa John, he was not only your Grandpa but he was all the viewers Grandfather. Just from watching the show, he was a kind man and had a gentle soul.
Love and prayers are with you during this time. Take care and God Bless! Sincerely, Karen (Wasilla AK)
God bless Grandpa Schnabel
Parker. U have been blessed by a grandfather who led his life w integrity , boundaries, and morals. Pap John was the perfect role model and a phenomenal mentor to u. I am so proud of u, follow in ur paps footsteps as u r n ur blessings will continue. I am genuinely sorry for the passing of ur grandfather God bless u. Char Hughes Greensburg pa