Memphis, Tennessee – Fred Smith, founder and executive chairman of FedEx Corporation.
Smith died on Saturday, sources confirmed WREG. He was 80 years old.
Smith was born in Marx, Mississippi, 1944. And gained degree in 1966. Four years later in the United States Maritime Corps of 1973. Smith started FedEx operations. FedEx is in Memphis.
FedEx will be a several billion dollar corporation serving more than 200 countries. In Memphis, there are several FedEx centers, including the FedEx World Hub in the airport area.
Smith served as CEO of FedEx until 2022, when he retired and became executive. FedEx says Smith has taken advantage of his time as a chairman to focus on “Board management and global problems, including sustainability, innovation and public policy.”
WREG approached FedEx to comment.
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Senator Brent Taylor issued a statement of Smith’s passage, calling him a “visionary and nurtured member of our community.”
I am very sad to hear about the approach of Fred Smith, a visionary leader and a member of our community.
As the founder of FedEx, Fred has revolutionized global logistics, creating many jobs and opportunities here in Memphis. His spirit of entrepreneurship, dedication to innovation and dedication to Memphis will leave a long -term legacy. He really made Memphis important to the world.
My thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire FedEx team at this difficult time.
Tonight, I say to Mr. Smith: Go to be with God as God was with you.
Senator Marsha Blackburn said she was “very upset” for Smith’s death.
“As the founder of FedEx, his leadership and innovation has changed global commerce, and he will be remembered for his ruthless aspiration, patriotism and dedication to the Office,” Blackburn announced on X. “His legacy will endure not only the company he built,
Congress, Steve Cohen, called the Smith Memphis “most important citizen”.
Federal Express is our economic engine. But Fred Smith was there as “Citizen Smith”, “FedEx forum to Liberty to Liberty Stadium, which is updated with his help with his or her help for the world-class zoo. Thank you, Fred! ‘
Memphis-Šelbis County Airport Administration announced a statement on Smith’s death on Saturday.
“The Smith Family and FedEx were very sympathetic to the Smith Airport Administration. Fred was an innovator, leader and cornerstone of the Memphis community. Its impact on the airport and our big city cannot be underestimated.”
Chairman Michael Keeney
The Mayor of Šelbis County, Lee Harris, called the death of Smith “a inconsistent loss of Memphis, Shelby County and the world.”
“Fred Smith’s death is an indifferent loss of Memphis, Shelby County and the world. His genius, leadership and dedication to the community and the family cannot be repeated. The huge shoes he leaves will forever be empty,” Harris X.
In a statement published on Saturday, Memphis Mayor Paul Young praised the Smith’s “innovative spirit” and said Smith “changed the world by moving.
The NaACP Memphis Branch also issued a statement calling Smith “a real businessman, an international business icon and a family man.”
The NaACP Memphis branch offers condolences to the founder of FedEx. Fred Smith’s family. He was a real businessman, an international business icon and a family man. FedEx was a partner and sponsor of the NaACP Memphis branch and the decades of the TN NAACP State Conference. Its impact on this community is unmatched.
Mr. Smith will be missed.
Kermit Moore,
The president
NaACP Memphis Branch
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