Overview

• Smith died on June 21 at age 80, with the cause of death not disclosed and FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam among those paying tribute to his influence.
• He launched Federal Express in 1973 after developing the hub-and-spoke system as a Yale student, growing the company from 14 aircraft to a global logistics leader.
• A Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Vietnam and earned decorations for bravery, Smith credited his military experience with shaping his leadership style.
• After more than four decades as CEO, he stepped down in 2022 to become executive chairman overseeing governance, sustainability, innovation and public policy.
• Smith’s philanthropy included major support for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, earning him lasting recognition in Memphis.