City leaders offer condolences following Fred Smith's death
The 80-year-old founded Federal Express in the 1970s, making it a global shipping giant.
'He was genuinely a good guy and had a big impact on Memphis, a big impact on me,' Fred Jones Jr. said.
Jones, who leads the Southern Heritage Classic, said the impact Fred Smith had on Memphis will continue for generations.
He said while the shipping giant helped put Memphis on the world stage, Jones remembers Smith as a humble man, citing the moment he was able to secure Smith as a guest speaker back in the early 2000s.
FedEx founder Fred Smith dies, sources confirm
'We had a long conversation about what he was going to talk about, and for somebody who had that kind of influence when he came to the event – he was just a regular guy,' Jones said.
Smith was a student at Yale back in the 1960s when he wrote a term paper calling for a better way to ship time-sensitive material.
After serving two tours of duty in Vietnam, the Marine Corps veteran would go on to start Federal Express, which launched its operation here in the Bluff City back in 1973.
'Trade is what's made America great over the years. About 27 percent of our entire economy is related to trade, either imports or exports,' Smith said back in 2017. 'The average American family benefits to the tune of about $13,000 in lower-priced goods than would otherwise be the case.'
After the news of Smith's passing, several state lawmakers took to social media to offer their condolences.
Congressman Steve Cohen said in a post on X, 'Memphis has lost its most important citizen.'
'Toxic Tour' highlights efforts to clean polluted areas in North Memphis
Across the aisle, Senator Marsha Blackburn said in part, 'As the founder of FedEx, his leadership and innovation transformed global commerce, and he will be remembered for his relentless drive, patriotism, and commitment to service. His legacy will endure not only through the company he built but through the countless lives he touched.'
Outside of giving back, Smith has had an influence in other organizations like the Memphis Zoo, which said Smith helped with expanding exhibits and 'championed animal care, education and community connection.'
The University of Memphis also reacted, praising Smith for his work in higher education.
Its statement reads in part, 'Through the learning inspired by [the] FedEx [life] program, Fred Smith gave his employees the opportunity to acquire college degrees at the UofM.'
Fred Jones said that Smith's story is a great inspiration for younger generations.
'My advice to young people is that you have these ideas, but you stay with it,' Jones said. 'Work with it because you never know the impact it's going to have.'
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