Thomas Hayes Schumpert

Thomas Hayes "Tommy" Schumpert passed away January 14, 2026 surrounded by his family. He was 87 years old. Tommy's life was one of service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, Knox County and particularly its youth.

After decades working in education, Tommy served two terms as the Knox County Executive, a position now called mayor, from 1994-2002. The last Democrat to hold the position, Tommy's tenure was marked by his ability to reach across the aisle for Knoxville's betterment. During his eight years as county executive, Tommy oversaw the creation of eight new parks, pay increases for county employees and infrastructure improvements to the county's roads. Tommy's Republican predecessors praised his support of them and desire to see them succeed.

Tommy Schumpert was born December 5, 1938 to T.O. Schumpert and Lucy Schumpert in Dayton, Tennessee. They moved to Knoxville shortly afterwards and Tommy spent 80-plus years living in Fountain City. Tommy attended Knoxville Central High School where he lettered on the football team and was the County Most Valuable Player in the 1955 Knoxville City-County All-Star Game.

After graduating from Central in 1956, Tommy attended Tennessee Tech University on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of Tennessee after an injury ended his football career.

In 1959, Tommy married his high school sweetheart Charlotte Truan. Tommy loved Charlotte dearly. The two were married 68 years and Charlotte cared for him tenderly and courageously in his final months and days.

Together, Tommy and Charlotte lovingly raised two children, Laurie and Scott. So much of Tommy's life was dedicated to his family. He and Charlotte frequently traveled to Nashville to see their three grandchildren, and Tommy greatly enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. He and Charlotte traveled across the country to watch them in travel basketball and baseball tournaments and college football games as they grew older. Tommy's children and grandchildren adored him and knew how much he loved them.

For over four decades, Tommy and a group of friends gathered for morning coffee and breakfast five times a week, first at Hardee's and later at Panera Bread and Chick-fil-A. The group "solved all the world's problems" until the next day.

Tommy graduated from Tennessee in 1960 and began teaching at Central High School later that year. He was the head baseball coach from 1968-73 where he led the Bobcats to the 1973 State Championship. Tommy became the head football coach later that year and led the Bobcats to the state quarterfinals in two of his four years as head coach. The Knoxville Journal named Tommy its East Tennessee Football Coach of the Year in 1973.

For his service and success as Central, Tommy is on the Central High School Wall of Fame, is a member of the Central High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. Central's hitting facility is named after Tommy and his longtime friend Bud Bales.

Despite Central's tremendous success on the field, Tommy took far more pride in the players he coached and life's he touched as an educator. Over the years, Tommy enjoyed reconnecting with his former players at church, Litton's Restaurant and anywhere else.

Despite leaving Central in 1977, Tommy remained in education where he served as the Knox County School Business Manager and then Knox County School Assistant Superintendent before being elected as Knox County Trustee in 1990 and then County Mayor in 1994.

After his time as County Mayor, Tommy spent 16 years as the program director of Edscholar (Edsouth), a nonprofit corporation organized to acquire postsecondary education loans under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965. During his decade-plus at Edsouth, the organization provided over $16 million in scholarships to over 870 students.

For his service to the city and its youth, the county created Tommy Schumpert Park in Fountain City in 2005. Fittingly, Central plays its home baseball games at the park and his grandson Andy played in a baseball tournament at the park.

Tommy was a dedicated Christian and servant of the Lord. He was a member of Fountain City United Methodist Church for 80-plus years. Tommy taught Sunday school for over 20 years and had countless leadership roles in his decades at the church.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father T.O. Schumpert; mother Lucy Schumpert; his sister Billie Ruth Graves and her husband Fred Graves Jr.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Charlotte Truan Schumpert; son, Scott Schumpert and his wife Sally; daughter, Laura Schumpert Raney and her husband Mick; grandsons Thomas Grant Schumpert and wife McKenzie, Andy Schumpert and fiancé Kate Linn, Ryan Schumpert; great-grandchildren, Kate Schumpert and Adrian Thomas Schumpert; brother R.B. Schumpert and wife Susan; brother-in-law Bill Truan and wife Mila; nieces and nephews, David Graves and wife Nancy, Debbie Parks and husband Mitch, Kim Schumpert, Amy Schumpert.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 1:00– 3:00pm at Fountain City United Methodist Church with a service to follow conducted by Rev. Dr. Don Hanshew. Family and friends will gather at Greenwood Cemetery on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. for a graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fountain City United Methodist Church or Emerald Youth Foundation.

Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Schumpert family and invites you to view and sign the online registry.