Former Knoxville Mayor Randy Tyree Celebration of Life

Visit Knoxville and the City of Knoxville will hold a Celebration of Life for the late Mayor Randy Tyree, who died Nov. 24, 2025, after a long illness. The gathering will be held on the sixth floor of the Sunsphere, the iconic symbol of the 1982 World’s Fair. Tyree was mayor during the fair’s six-month run, which drew 11 million visits.

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon will read a proclamation, the Knoxville Police Department will be on mounted patrol, and the family will make additional remarks on Tyree’s life. The event also will be livestreamed on the Sunsphere's Facebook page.

Following the ceremony, the Sunsphere’s Observation Deck will be open to the public with free admission in celebration of Tyree’s contributions to Knoxville and the region. Visit Knoxville requests the public to visit HERE to express interest in attending the celebration.