Mr. Brent Tye, 54, of Lexington, passed away Tuesday morning, October 27, 2026 at his home. He was the son of Evelyn Merida Tye and the late Donald Joshua Tye born on June 5, 1972 in Cincinnati, OH.
Brent was a mortgage broker and a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington where he was a former Sunday school teacher and at one time, was nominated as a deacon. A graduate of Knox Central High School and Eastern Kentucky University, he remained proud of his Kentucky roots and his alma maters.
Brent had a heart for serving others and faithfully gave his time and talents to his community in many ways. He served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, soccer coach and he and his company had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala on a mission trip, sharing his faith and serving those in need.
Outside of his work and church, Brent enjoyed music and was an avid sports fan of both Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky. He was also famous for his secret banana pudding recipe that was a family favorite. Whether through his faith, community involvement or the simple joys of life, Brent made a meaningful impact on those around him. He will be remembered for his commitment to serving others, his love of his community and the many lives he touched along the way.
In 1997, he united in marriage with Kelli Smith.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by grandparents, the Hon. Herman and Opal C. Tye and Adison and Gladys Merida; aunt, Thelma Merida; uncles, Paul Gray and Curtis Merida and cousin, Chrissey Merida.
Survivors include his loving mother, Evelyn M. Tye of Barbourville; children, Noah Tye of Lexington and Bethany Finley of New York City and their mother, Kelli Smith, of New York City; sister, Joslyn Diana Flynn and husband, Jerome, of Stanford and their children, Joshua Jerome and Rosemund McKenna, who he affectionately called “My Little Rose”; siblings, Tonya Bolton and husband, Donnie, of Lexington and Nathan Doan of Barbourville; aunts, Lena Faye Gray, Valerie Broughton and husband, Scott, and Rebecca Quentmeyer and husband, Steve; uncles, Shirley Merida and wife, Vada, Wayne Merida and Kim Merida and wife, Rena; a very special lady, Dr. Leah Simpkins, whom he loved dearly and her children he dearly loved, Gavin, Graham and Gabrielle, who adored Brent; many other loved ones and dear friends who cherish his memory.
A celebration of his life will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Tuesday, November 3 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Ken Merida, Rev. Abraham Livingston and Kim Merida officiating.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Tuesday after 1 P.M. until the service time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the First United Methodist Church, 312 N. Main Street, Barbourville, KY 40906 or the American Heart Association at www.heart.org in his memory.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
