Former Knoxville Mayor Randy Tyree, who led the city from 1976 to 1983 and oversaw the highly successful 1982 World’s Fair, has passed away, the City of Knoxville announced. Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1940, Tyree earned a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a law degree from the University of Tennessee.

Current Mayor Indya Kincannon remembered him as a friend, mentor, and “true champion for Knoxville,” known for his encouraging nature and ever-present smile. Tyree often credited the World’s Fair with delivering tremendous positive momentum to the city, describing it in a 2022 WVLT interview as “a perfect storm in a positive way” that brought millions of visitors to what was then known as the Scruffy City.

After leaving the mayor’s office, he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1982 against incumbent Lamar Alexander.