![\"Jim](\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/38\/4by3\/2023\/09\/06\/380506b6898c490c87e069ba96cbae1a_md.png\")
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Jim Tom Hedrick<\/strong> of “Moonshiners” has died … TMZ has confirmed.<\/p>\n A family member of JT’s tells us he passed away Wednesday morning in Robbinsville, NC — although the exact circumstances are unclear. What we do know, per the relative, is that JT had kidney cancer and was receiving dialysis for a long time.<\/p>\n We’re told Jim was in a nursing home for the last year, and photos of him in a hospital bed had been posted in recent months.<\/p>\n A statement from Sugarlands Distilling Co reads, “Jim Tom dedicated much of his life to the art of moonshining, becoming a legend in Appalachia along the way. Jim Tom\u2019s 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.”<\/p>\n SDC goes on to say Jim Tom was one of the veteran moonshiners in the area who embraced them when they opened their doors … and his stamp of approval went a long way.<\/p>\n Jim Tom appeared on several seasons of the long-running Discovery reality series — which chronicles moonshiners running their illegal booze biz all throughout the Appalachian mountains. He joined during Season 2 in 2012 and stuck around through 2017.<\/p>\n He was known for his unique personality and manners of speaking — not to mention his storytelling and, of course, his pristine skill at making homemade alcohol out in nature.<\/p>\n He was 82.<\/p>\n RIP<\/p>\n![\"jim](\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/37\/4by3\/2023\/09\/06\/37714d36c1ca49c7aee61e6c176bab23_md.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"jim](\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/11\/4by3\/2023\/09\/06\/11fe3cf3464b43af9ae75bf5d917ee3f_md.jpg\")
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