Here’s a summary of the news:
FedEx Founder Fred Smith Dies at 80
Fred W. Smith, the visionary founder of FedEx Corporation, died on June 21, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 80 (newsroom.fedex.com). A decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Smith earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts during the Vietnam War (ft.com). After graduating from Yale in 1966, he applied his “hub‑and‑spokes” thesis to revolutionize package delivery, launching Federal Express (later FedEx) in 1973 with just 14 aircraft serving 25 U.S. cities (apnews.com).
Under Smith’s leadership, FedEx grew into a global logistics powerhouse averaging 17 million shipments per business day, with a fleet nearing 700 aircraft (apnews.com). He stepped down as CEO in June 2022, becoming executive chairman—a role he held until his death (ft.com). Company CEO Raj Subramaniam hailed him as the “heart and soul of FedEx,” praising his passion for innovation, integrity, and service (ft.com).
Beyond his business achievements, Smith was a noted philanthropist—supporting veterans, education, and environmental causes. He is survived by his wife, Diane, and their ten children, including NFL coach Arthur Smith (newsroom.fedex.com). Former President George W. Bush, a Yale fraternity brother, called him “one of the finest Americans of our generation” (foxbusiness.com).
Fred Smith’s legacy lies not only in transforming global commerce but also in redefining how the world connects—altering expectations around speed, reliability, and possibility in logistics.