MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WDNews) — FedEx Corporation founder Frederick W. Smith, a trailblazer in international logistics, passed away at the age of 80 from what was purportedly a heart attack.
Smith, who was born in Marks, Mississippi, in 1944, transformed the shipping sector in 1973 when he founded Federal Express. When he was still an undergraduate at Yale, he came up with the idea for an air-ground transport system that would eventually grow into a global network that serves over 220 nations and territories.
Following two Marine tours in Vietnam, Smith came home and implemented his creative logistics strategy, foreseeing the demands of an expanding, technologically advanced industry. FedEx now has more than 500,000 employees, 705 airplanes, and processes 17 million items per day.
Smith remained executive chairman after resigning as CEO in 2022 to concentrate on global policy, innovation, and governance. He served on the boards of significant corporations and nonprofit organizations, such as the Mayo Foundation and St. Jude, demonstrating his commitment to public service throughout his career.
The news of his passing prompted a flood of tributes. Smith’s CEO successor, Raj Subramaniam, said in a statement:
Fred was more than just the creator of our fantastic firm and the forerunner of an industry. He was the driving force of FedEx, a mentor to many, and an inspiration to everyone.
