MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The city of Memphis will honor Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx, with a Celebration of Life event at FedExForum on what would have been his 81st birthday Monday.
Smith died June 21 at age 80.
“Such a unique, remarkable person. He is absolutely the greatest Memphian of all time,” former mayor Jim Strickland has said.
Memphis to celebrate life of FedEx founder Fred Smith
Smith, remembered not only as a business giant but also as a generous philanthropist, founded Federal Express in Memphis in 1973 after serving two tours in Vietnam as a Marine Corps veteran. The company became the first in U.S. history to reach a billion dollars in revenue without any mergers or acquisitions.
The ‘Celebration of Life’ for Fred Smith will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 11:30 a.m., featuring speakers and musical performances to honor his legacy.
The public is invited to attend the event, but registration is required on the FedEx Facebook page. Security policies will be the same as on game days.
Fred Smith’s commitment to Memphis grew alongside the success of FedEx, leaving a lasting impact on the city.
As Memphis bids farewell to Fred Smith, his contributions to the city and the world of shipping are celebrated and remembered.
