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Fred Smith, FedEx Founder Who Revolutionized Logistics Dies at 80

SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE, JUN 22 – Fred Smith transformed FedEx from a small startup to a global logistics leader operating in over 220 countries with 500,000 employees, shaping worldwide commerce for more than 50 years.

  • Fred Smith, the visionary who established FedEx and served as its executive chairman, passed away at the age of 80 on June 21, 2025.
  • Smith founded Federal Express in 1971 and officially launched it in 1973 from Memphis, driven by his vision of overnight delivery.
  • FedEx grew into a global logistics giant operating 705 aircraft, 200,000 vehicles, employing over 500,000 people and handling 17 million daily shipments.
  • Smith stepped down as FedEx CEO in June 2022, with Raj Subramaniam succeeding him and calling Smith 'the heart and soul of FedEx.'
  • Smith's death drew widespread condolences, with local leaders calling it an incalculable loss to Memphis and highlighting his transformative impact on global commerce.
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Local Memphis broke the news in on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
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