Gold Rush’s Parker Schnabel says Grandpa John Schnabel is cancer free

Discovery Channel’s super popular reality series Gold Rush features a large cast of gold miners (and perhaps a couple of hole diggers who call themselves gold miners), but without question the breakout star of the series is Parker Schnabel’s grandpa John Schnabel, whose huge heart, infectious laugh, and sage advice from decades of mining experience have endeared him to millions of viewers.

Needless to say, it was heartbreaking for fans when it was revealed on the show that John Schnabel was battling cancer. Parker has been keeping fans updated on his grandpa’s condition, with most all of the news being good. And on Friday Parker shared the best news possible on Facebook: Grandpa John is cancer free! Here is the full announcement from Parker:

So after 4 years my grandpa has been declared cancer free! I would like to thank everyone for the kind words and prayers. He is a very special guy and just told me that he can’t wait for next year and his 95th birthday.

What a fighter.

Enjoy the show tonight.

That is fantastic news!

In honor of the good news I thought it might be fun to share a throwback photo of Grandpa John Schnabel in which his resemblance to grandson Parker is uncanny:

Still can’t see the similarities? Perhaps it would help if I gave grandpa John Parker’s now-infamous hairdo:

Spitting image, right? 😉

Thanks again to Parker Schnabel for keeping us updated. We look forward to seeing more of Grandpa John on Gold Rush airing Friday nights at 9/8c on Discovery!