Richard Harrison, 'The Old Man' on 'Pawn Stars,' has died

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) - Richard Benjamin Harrison, known affectionately as "The Old Man" on long-running reality series "Pawn Stars," has died.

The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop announced Harrison's passing Monday morning, with a Facebook post saying he was surrounded by his family over the weekend.

The website for Gold & Silver calls Harrison "the brains behind the brawn" of the pawn shop, having moved to Las Vegas after retiring from the Navy and losing in the real estate market.

He frequently appeared on "Pawn Stars," the History Channel reality series centered on the daily business of Gold & Silver in Las Vegas, which he co-owned with his son Rick Harrison.

A publicist for Silver & Gold says people are welcome to share condolences with the family and attend a viewing at Palm Mortuary, at 6701 N. Jones Blvd., on Sunday, July 1, between 9 a.m. and noon.

Events will immediately follow in the afternoon for family, close friends and business associates.

According to TMZ, he was 77. The Pawn Stars patriarch died after battling Parkinson's Disease for a couple of years. His son Rick was by his side.

"He will be remembered as the best father, grandfather, and great-grandfather you could have by his family," Rick Harrison posted on Facebook.

Laura Herlovich is the show's publicist. She has fond memories of the old man.

"He was so special and he was the heart and soul of this whole operation. He may be gone but he's left a piece of him with all of us,” Herlovich said. "I made him laugh one day. He's hard to make laugh. I don't know what I said but I made him laugh and his smile was the cutest smile ever. I felt so accomplished all day. I was like oh man I made the old man laugh!"

Four years ago, Richard Harrison spoke to News 3 while recording a story about his show.

"I'm glad that we can take and give a little enjoyment to anyone when they catch the show," Harrison told us.

On Monday, fans left behind flowers and a cross at this memorial inside the pawn shop in remembrance of a man loved for his grit. His famous chair and hat were put out for the public to see.

Eugene Ganblin, a fan from Long Island, New York, tells us it’s sad to see The Old Man go.

“It's a shame,” Ganblin said. “I mean, who didn't just love his gruff? You know, he did what he said and he said what he did. It's gonna be a great loss."

Pawn Stars fan Miranda Orr says the show wont be the same.

"Honestly, probably not, but there's no saying he’s not a part of it. He had a huge part in it," Orr said.

Herlovich says Harrison was certainly one-of-a-kind.

"He was such a giving man. I don't think I ever sat down with him that he didn't say anything you need. If there's anything you want you just let me know," he said.