Tye was a Michigan artist, holding advanced degrees in sculpture form both Wayne State University and Western Michigan University. He taught sculpture at the Kalamazoo Art Center and, after retiring as an art teacher from the Mattawan School System, he established, with his wife Karla, the Alchemist Tye Studio and Foundry at the Park Trades Building. Through his studio, he crated work for Kirk Newman, Steven Hansen, and Marsha Wood, among others. Tye was the founder of the Kalamazoo Bronze Casting Company, a group touring exhibition, which has shown at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 6th Street Gallery, Island Gallery on Beaver Island, Cain Gallery, and the Krasl Art Center. His work can also be found in many public collections including University of South Carolina, the City of Battle Creek, Sturgis Council of the Arts, Western Michigan University, as well as a number of private collections. Tye lived in western Michigan with his family until his death in 2021. His reputation as one of Michigan's most renowned sculptors will doubtless increase concomitantly with the posthumous public exhibition of his art.