Moonshiners star Jim Tom Hedrick dies at 82 after struggle with kidney cancer

Jim Tom Hedrick, a popular former star of the Discovery Channel reality series Moonshiners, has died at age 82.

Hedrick died on Wednesday morning in Robbinsville, North Carolina, according to a family member.

The cause of Hedrick's death isn't yet known, but he had been suffering from kidney cancer recently, a family member told TMZ.

The reality fixture had also been receiving dialysis treatments for 'a long time,' the family member said. 

His death comes just months after another Moonshiners star, Craig Landy, was hospitalized after a devastating electric unicycle crash

Reality star: Jim Tom Hedrick (R), a popular former star of the Discovery Channel reality series Moonshiners, has died at age 82. A family member told TMZ he had suffered from kidney cancer and had been on dialysis recently

Reality star: Jim Tom Hedrick (R), a popular former star of the Discovery Channel reality series Moonshiners, has died at age 82. A family member told TMZ he had suffered from kidney cancer and had been on dialysis recently

Last days: Hedrick had reportedly been living in a nursing home in the final year of his life

Last days: Hedrick had reportedly been living in a nursing home in the final year of his life

Hedrick had reportedly been living in a nursing home in the final year of his life.

A post from a cousin of Hedrick's posted to the Facebook page of fellow Moonshiners stars Mark and Dugger revealed that he was 'comfortable and resting with no pain right now,' as of a few days before his death.

'Jim Tom dedicated much of his life to the art of moonshining, becoming a legend in Appalachia along the way,' read an Instagram statement from Sugarlands Distilling Co. 

'Jim Tom’s well-earned reputation as one of the most skilled moonshiners in the South earned him a role on the hit television program Moonshiners, where his colorful personality endeared Jim Tom to the hearts of millions.'

Sugarlands president and founder Ned Vickers added: 'Jim Tom was one of the first veteran moonshiners to truly embrace Sugarlands when we opened our doors. 

'Gaining the stamp of approval from Jim Tom was instrumental in shaping the authenticity of Sugarlands, and we’re forever indebted to his support and friendship,' he wrote.

They said he gave them his 'stamp of approval,' which helped to considerably legitimize their business. 

In photos posted to Facebook announcing his death, Hedrick was seen shirtless in a hospital bed while receiving visitors at his nursing home.

Longtime star: Hedrick joined the cast of the Discovery Channel's Moonshiners series in its second season, and he stuck with the show through its sixth season, which wrapped up in 2017; still from Moonshiners

Longtime star: Hedrick joined the cast of the Discovery Channel's Moonshiners series in its second season, and he stuck with the show through its sixth season, which wrapped up in 2017; still from Moonshiners

Staying positive: In photos posted to Facebook announcing his death, Hedrick was seen shirtless in a hospital bed while receiving visitors at his nursing home. Despite his declining health, he managed an upbeat smile while being visited by family

Staying positive: In photos posted to Facebook announcing his death, Hedrick was seen shirtless in a hospital bed while receiving visitors at his nursing home. Despite his declining health, he managed an upbeat smile while being visited by family

Helping hand: Sugarlands Distilling Co. praised Hedrick on Instagram for being one of the first distillers in the area to give his support to it

Helping hand: Sugarlands Distilling Co. praised Hedrick on Instagram for being one of the first distillers in the area to give his support to it

Despite his declining health, he managed an upbeat smile while being visited by family.

Hedrick joined the cast of the Discovery Channel's Moonshiners series in its second season, and he stuck with the show through its sixth season, which wrapped up in 2017.

It presents a dramatized version of the exploits of illegal distillers. However, according to a 2012 statement from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, none of the people featured on the series creates illegal liquor.

Moonshiners is currently in its twelfth season, which is expected to wrap up in April of 2024. 

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