FedEx Founder Frederick Smith Passes Away at 80

Frederick (Fred) Smith, the visionary founder of global courier giant FedEx, has passed away at the age of 80. Widely regarded as a revolutionary figure in the express delivery industry, Smith transformed the way the world thinks about logistics and time-sensitive shipping.

Smith founded FedEx in 1973, launching a company that, at the time, delivered small parcels and vital documents far more quickly than traditional postal services.

A former U.S. Marine Corps officer, Smith used the discipline and leadership skills he gained in the military to build FedEx into a world-class enterprise. Over nearly five decades, he expanded the company into a global network that now delivers around 17 million packages daily through integrated air and ground transportation systems.

Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, FedEx has grown into one of the largest logistics and supply chain companies in the world. Although Smith stepped down as CEO in 2022, he remained involved as executive chairman until his death.

Smith graduated from Yale University in 1966. During his college years, he developed a business concept that would later become the foundation of FedEx’s operations: the “hub-and-spoke” model. This system centralized package collection and distributed them from a single hub to various destinations efficiently and quickly.

FedEx not only revolutionized package delivery but also had a major impact on American business practices. The company emphasized timely delivery and helped reduce the need for large inventories in warehouses—fundamentally changing supply chain logistics.

Smith came from a business-minded family—his father had built a modest fortune in Memphis through a regional bus service and other ventures. After college, Smith joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and served two tours in the Vietnam War. He retired as a captain in 1969, having been honored for bravery and injuries sustained in combat.

Though one of Memphis’ most respected figures, Smith led a relatively private life, devoting his energy to his work and family.

Interestingly, despite avoiding the spotlight, Smith made a brief appearance in popular culture. He had a cameo in the 2000 Tom Hanks film Cast Away, which told the story of a FedEx employee stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash—a film that further highlighted the brand’s global identity.