FedEx Founder Fred Smith Passes Away at 80
Fred W. Smith, the visionary entrepreneur who revolutionized global trade and transformed Memphis, Tennessee into a logistics powerhouse, has passed away at the age of 80. The news was reported by The Daily Memphian.
Born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi, Smith conceived the idea of reliable overnight delivery while studying at Yale University. Although the concept earned him only a “C” grade in class, it laid the foundation for what would later become FedEx.
He founded Federal Express in 1971, and the company commenced operations in 1973. The early years were fraught with financial difficulties — at one point, Smith famously gambled in Las Vegas to keep the business afloat.
From such humble and precarious beginnings, FedEx grew into one of the world’s largest courier services, playing a crucial role in delivering COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. The company has had a transformative impact on the economy, infrastructure, and job market of Memphis, where it is headquartered.
In a condolence message, FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam stated, “He was not only our founder but the soul of our culture. He was a proud father, grandfather, Marine, friend, and a source of inspiration to all.”
