Fred Smith, founder of FedEx and the beating heart behind Memphis’s emergence as a global city, passed away leaving behind a legacy that will forever define what it means to be a Memphian. More than a visionary entrepreneur, Smith was the greatest champion of Memphis sports.
Smith didn’t just build one of the world’s largest companies—he helped build Memphis’s identity. He was instrumental in keeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the Bluff City, ensuring NBA basketball remained rooted here. Through quiet influence and meaningful investment, he empowered the growth of Memphis Tigers athletics, upgraded the Liberty Bowl, and fought to elevate the city’s standing in the national sports conversation.
A Marine, a philanthropist, and a sportsman in every sense, Fred Smith understood that Memphis was more than a city—it was a cause. He never asked for credit, only progress. He believed in Memphis when others doubted.
Fred Smith was not just the greatest Memphian. He was Memphis.
Fred is survived by his wife, Diane, with whom he shared a lifetime of partnership, philanthropy, and commitment to Memphis. Together, they raised ten children, including Arthur Smith, who carries his father’s spirit into every locker room and sideline as an NFL coach.