FEDEX FOUNDER, FRED SMITH HAS DIED

The man behind the most influential company in Memphis, Fred Smith, has died. Fred Smith was 80. He founded Federal Express in 1971 and transformed the cargo industry from “the HUB” in Memphis in 1973. Since then, FedEx has been a transformational employer for Memphis as well as one of the most important civic partners and world wide brand.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem meets with the Founder and Executive Chairman of FedEx Corporation Fred W. Smith at DHS Headquarters in Washington, D.C., April 1, 2025. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)