Thomas (Tom) Leon Jackson was featured on season 1, episode 1 of Netflix’s 2018 reboot of the show “Queer Eye.” During the episode, Tom said “you can’t fix ugly,” and that ended up being the name of the pilot episode.
Now, “Queer Eye” has confirmed the sad news that Tom has died. On their Instagram account, they posted pictures of Tom on the show and wrote, “It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a member of our Queer Eye family. Rest in peace, Tom Jackson.”
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Tom was only 63 when he died on March 3, 2023, after losing his battle with metastatic adenocarcinoma. According to City of Hope, adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer, “starts in glands that line the insides of the organs” and “may develop almost anywhere in the human body.” When adenocarcinoma spreads to other parts of the body, it’s called metastatic adenocarcinoma. “Metastatic adenocarcinomas most commonly spread to the bones, lungs, liver and/or lymph nodes, but they also may spread to other areas of the body.”
According to Tom’s online obituary, Tom worked for Federal Express for many years before semi-retiring and switching careers to become a dump truck driver.
Highlights of Tom’s life included his “his two grandsons who were his pride and joy” and “being cast on the Netflix show, ‘Queer Eye.'” He was apparently very proud of being on the show. The obituary explained, “He enjoyed the notoriety and shared his experience with whoever would listen!”
Instead of sending flowers, Tom’s family has asked that friends and family watch Tom’s “Queer Eye” episode in his honor.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Katie Phelps, his grandsons Chandler and Watson Phelps, his sisters Kozetta (Jeff) Stewart and Jackie Lynn Childers, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Watch the video below to learn more about Tom and his episode of “Queer Eye.”
