RICHARD HARRISON JR.

Richard Benjamin Harrison Jr., also known as the Old Man on History’s “Pawn Stars,” co-owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, passed away Monday, June 25, 2018. He was born March 4, 1941, in Danville, Virginia. He spent most of the early part of his life in Lexington, North Carolina, where the family moved when Harrison was just one-year old. At 17 years old, he married his wife, JoAnne Rhue, in 1959. Their first child, Sherry, passed away at the age of six. Three sons, Joseph, Rick and Chris followed. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1958 for two years and again in 1962. He served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years reaching the rank of Petty Officer First Class. He served on four ships, including his final five years on the USS Chowanoc between 1972-1976. In 1967, he was transferred by the Navy to San Diego, California, where he joined his wife, JoAnne, in her real estate business after his discharge from the Navy. In 1981, with the real estate market down, he and his wife and their family moved to Las Vegas, where he opened a Gold & Silver Coin Shop. In 1981, the Gold & Silver Coin Buy & Sell Store became the first of its kind on the Las Vegas Strip to be open 24 hours. In 1988, that business was in a new building and the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop opened at its current location, 713 Las Vegas Blvd. S. In July 2009, Harrison, his son, Rick, and grandson, Corey, along with family friend, Austin “Chumlee” Russell, became the stars of History’s “Pawn Stars.” Within 10 weeks of its debut, the show was the highestrated show on History and the second highest-rated reality show on television. That show continues today, 10 years later, and is entering the 16th season. Harrison was awarded a key to the City of Lexington May 29, 2012 and it was made “Richard Harrison’s Day.” In March 2010, he was given a key to the City of Las Vegas and in 2012 it was declared “Pawn Stars/Gold & Silver Pawn Day,” July 17. He is survived by his wife, of 58 years, JoAnne; three sons; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Public viewing will be from 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, July 1, at Palm Mortuary, 6701 N. Jones Blvd. Private viewing for family, close friends and business associates will be noon-1 p.m., followed by a private service and a private celebration of life beginning at 3 p.m. Graveside visit will be between the service and celebration for immediate family. Donations in Richard’s memory can be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Nevada or the National Epilepsy Foundation.