Discovery Channel

John Schnabel, of the hit Discovery channel show "Gold Rush," has died at age 96.

(Edward Gorsuch/Discovery)

John Schnabel, who "Gold Rush" viewers came to know as young miner Parker Schnabel's beloved "Grandpa," has died at age 96, according to multiple reports.

In a statement to People magazine, the Schnabel family said, "We couldn't have asked for a better father, grandfather and overall family man."

Viewers of the Discovery channel reality show "Gold Rush," which recently wrapped Season 6, saw John Schnabel as the patriarch of the mining clan, and a source of advice and support for his grandson, Parker.

Though the show has played up the rivalry between miners Parker Schnabel and Todd Hoffman, who is from Sandy, Oregon, the tone was always warm and affectionate in scenes between Parker and his grandfather.

As People reports, John Schnabel bought the Gold Nugget Mine in Porcupine Creek in Alaska when he was 68, and recovering from triple bypass surgery.

As the People story says, "Doctors told him that he needed to remain active after undergoing a triple bypass, and he saw the mine as a way to accomplish that as well as to have a place to take his family."

The Discovery website has Schnabel family photos of a young John and his sisters when the family lived in Klamath Falls, where John grew up.

.@Gold_Rush's Grandpa John Schnabel has passed away at the age of 96. We'll miss you Grandpa. >> https://t.co/L3BncpmkCq — Discovery (@Discovery) March 18, 2016

RIP John. — ZUM media Todd (@goldrushtodd) March 19, 2016

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com

503-221-8227

@Kristiturnquist