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Remembering Fred Smith – The Visionary Who Gave Memphis Wings
Hey everyone, I want to take a moment to reflect on someone whose impact goes far beyond business—someone who truly changed the world and the city of Memphis as we know it. I'm talking about Frederick W. Smith, the founder of FedEx, who sadly passed away at the age of 80.
Fred Smith wasn’t just a business leader. He was a pioneer, a Marine, a philanthropist, and in many ways, the heartbeat of Memphis. The idea for FedEx was born from a paper he wrote while at Yale, one his professor didn’t even think was that great—he got a C. But that C-grade idea would go on to become a global logistics empire. Talk about vision.
In 1971, he officially incorporated FedEx, and just two years later, the company began operations. It wasn’t all smooth sailing—there’s even that legendary story of Fred flying to Las Vegas, gambling his way into just enough money to keep the company alive when funding ran dry. From there, FedEx soared, becoming a lifeline for global commerce and one of Memphis’ defining institutions.
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Fred’s time as a U.S. Marine shaped much of how he led—discipline, loyalty, and caring for people. He served two tours in Vietnam and earned two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star. He once recalled how his troops dug his foxhole for him, not out of duty, but out of respect. That moment told him everything he needed to know about real leadership—and he carried that lesson throughout his life.
His impact on Memphis is impossible to overstate. The FedEx Forum, investments in the University of Memphis, the St. Jude Championship, and thousands of jobs—Fred touched every corner of the city. As former Mayor Jim Strickland said, “Every good thing that’s happened in Memphis in the last 40-50 years, Fred or the FedEx family had a hand in it.”
Even in grief, people remember his humanity. When local philanthropist Gayle Rose lost her son, Fred called her personally—not with empty words, but with heartfelt empathy, having lost his own daughter years before. That was who he was.
He wasn’t just Mr. FedEx. He was Mr. Memphis. His belief in the city gave it global significance. As Mayor Paul Young beautifully put it, “Fred gave our city wings.”
We’ve lost a legend. But Fred Smith’s legacy—his innovation, his heart, his relentless drive to connect people across the world—will continue to shape the future. Rest in peace, Fred. Thank you for dreaming big enough to lift a city, and bold enough to move the world.
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