Farid Smith, Fedex founder, dies in 80 years – the visionary journey is officially ended

Friedrich Wallace Smith, founder, CEO, President and CEO of Fedex Corporation died long ago, from the natural reasons on June 21, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 80 years old. His death represents the end of the era of international transportation and logistical services; Creating its foundations and revolutionized it through his innovative vision and his endeavor to excellence.

He was born on August 11, 1944, in Marx, Mississippi and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and Smith was the pioneer of a born. In 1962, he entered Yale College to follow up a certificate in the economy. While he was at Yale University, the young Smith worked as a charter. It was at Yale University where the idea of an integrated system from the air to the ground would be conceived that would guarantee the delivery overnight, a concept that will eventually become the Federn Express.

After graduating from Yale University in 1966, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which included two service rounds in Vietnam where he held the position of commander of a gun family, a company commander, an air observer or a tactical observer in OV-10A. He is decorated with the silver star, the bronze star and two purple hearts for his military service. He left the Marine Corps in 1970 as a commander, and often joking that he had obtained a “USMC” “work certificate”.

In 1973, Smith Federation launched with a fleet of 14 Daso Falcon jets and a vision to divert the shipping industry. Under his leadership as president and executive director, Fedex from a small startup to a multinational company has redefined world trade. Today, FedEX is the largest explicit transport company in the world, and is constantly recognized as one of the most popular companies in the world. The company employs more than 500,000 team members worldwide, connecting more than 220 countries and region, and moving nearly $ 2 trillion of goods annually and more than 17 million shipping per day.

Smith’s pioneering approach was not only created in the industry, but also set new criteria for the concentration of customers with the famous purple promise, a consistent culture at the level of profitable people, and a trademark that tries and received all over the world.

In 2022, after working as one of the tallest presidents and executives of Fortune 100, Smith crossed aside to become a founder and director of Fedex Corporation. As an executive head, Smith focused on global importance issues, including sustainability, innovation and public policy. Until his death, Smith continued helping to form the vision and the company’s founding strategy, as well as working on critical policy issues for the transport industry.

In the words of the president and CEO of Fedex Raj Subramaniam, “Friedrich and”.

Smith was the Secretary of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Director of the American Battle Archeology Foundation, and a member of the Business Council. He served at the business table for more than 30 years. He also held the position of US -Chinese Business Council and co -chair of the American American Business Council. Smith served in the councils of many large public companies – Malone, Hyde (Autozone), First Tennessee, Holiday Inn, EW Scripps, and General Mills – and charitable organizations including St. Jude Research Hospital and May Foundation. He held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Air Transport Association and chaired the Executive Committee of the American Air Transport Association.

Besides his commercial achievements, Smith was a dedicated and supportive of many charitable reasons. He served as the co -chair of the project of both World War II project in World War II and the National Museum campaign of the Marine Corps. He was committed to education, old warriors affairs and environmental sustainability, ensuring that FEDEX played a positive role in societies around the world.

Smith’s fixed commitment to the city of Memphis was clear in his life dedication to raise his people and his future. Through charitable support for education, health care, sports, arts, and community development, helped in forming a Memphis for the best – always believes in the power of the favor of the beautiful place that he described as a home proudly.

He was a loyal grandfather, known for his generosity, humility and fixed dedication to his family. His daughter, Windland Smith Rice was preceded. He survived his wife, Diane Smith, and the children: Stacy Roccas (Bell), Lori Huber (Stephen), Richard Smith (Alison), Kathleen Forbush (Matt), Molly Hosnsam (Bron), Arthur Smith (Alison), Rasheel O’Neill (David), Wissam Atkinson (Buba), Cannon Smither, Cannon Smther, Cannon Smther, Cannon) and Cannon Smither. Great grandchildren.