Sneak Peek: 'Gold Rush: Remembering John Schnabel' (Video)

While the long-running Discovery series Gold Rush has always primarily been about finding gold in Alaska, it's also always been a series about family. In fact, one of the best parts of the show has been the relationship between the ambitious young gold miner Parker Schnabel and his ninety-something grandfather John Schnabel.

John Schnabel didn't begin gold mining until late in life. He ran a successful lumber mill, opened a local hardware store and at one point was the mayor of Haines, Alaska. He suffered a heart attack when was 68 and following a triple bypass was told he needed to stay active. So his solution was to buy the Big Nugget mine and begin looking for gold. That's where viewers we introduced to him in season one of Gold Rush, as his then-young grandson Parker struggled to find gold at the old claim and make his grandfather proud.

In an age where we tend to only see our extended families on holidays, the love and closeness between the two men has been a sweet reminder of the bond that can exist in a family. Parker has often said that he owes everything he's accomplished in the gold business to his grandfather and every time they were together you could see the love and admiration he had for his elderly mentor.

Following a number of years of declining health (some of it recounted on Gold Rush), John Schnabel recently passed away in his sleep at age 96. On Friday, April 1, Discovery will air a special tribute to him at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Here's an extended look at a scene from the special, entitled Gold Rush: Remembering John Schnabel.