Randy Tyree

Randell Tyree (1940 – November 24, 2025) was an American politician, who served as mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, from 1976 to 1983. He was also the Democratic candidate for Governor of Tennessee in 1982.

Life and career Tyree was born in Gordonsville, Tennessee, in 1940. He received a bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University, where his major was political science. Subsequently he earned a law degree from the University of Tennessee. Tyree, later divorced, was married to the former Mary Pat Dukas. The couple had four children.

He was elected mayor of Knoxville at age 34 in 1975, the city's youngest candidate ever to hold that office, defeating Republican incumbent Kyle Testerman. He took office the following year. In 1979, he won re-election to a second four-year term, and presided over the city during the 1982 World's Fair. but lost to Republican incumbent governor Lamar Alexander in the November general election. In 2008, he won the Democratic primary held in February, but lost to J.J. Jones in the August general election.

Tyree died on November 24, 2025, at the age of 85.