As a school teacher at Winburn Middle School in Lexington, his students admired him and viewed him as a role model. Tom regularly attended Kentucky football games and cheered from kickoff to the final buzzer, regardless of the outcome. He was part of what made the Big Blue Nation the greatest fanbase in college sports.
In Spring of 2016, Tom felt ill and went to the doctor to look for answers. Unable to clarify any specific diagnoses, the doctors sent him on his way. At the Kentucky vs. South Carolina football game later that Fall, he started feeling worse than ever before, and had to exit the game early.