Fred Smith, the billionaire who built FedEx from a college theory into a global delivery juggernaut, has died at 80, The Sun reported on Sunday.
His "hub and spokes" system reshaped how the world moves goods, proving one man’s vision can outpace government-run relics like the postal service. Now, progressives might mourn his wealth, but Smith’s legacy screams free-market triumph.
Smith, a Marine Corps veteran, founded FedEx in 1973, revolutionizing logistics with overnight delivery. The company started with 14 small planes in Memphis, serving 25 cities, and now handles 17 million parcels daily. This isn’t just a business story—it’s a capitalist masterclass.
His innovation stemmed from a Yale paper, where he outlined the "hub and spokes" model, using a central hub for coordinated air cargo flights. Unlike the bloated bureaucracies of the time, Smith’s system was lean, fast, and effective. It’s no wonder Memphis became a global logistics hub under his watch.
Smith’s grit came from four years in the Marine Corps, not some ivy-covered lecture hall. In a 2023 interview, he said his military experience, not Yale, taught him how to lead FedEx. This is a man who valued discipline over diplomas—take note, woke academia.
He launched FedEx with a focus on small parcels and documents, outpacing the sluggish postal service. By 2022, when Smith stepped down as CEO, FedEx was a $5.3 billion empire, per Forbes. That’s what happens when you prioritize results over red tape.
Smith remained executive chairman until his death, guiding FedEx’s strategy with a steady hand. His cause of death remains unconfirmed, but his impact is crystal clear. The man built a machine that runs without him, unlike the government’s endless bailouts.
Memphis’s former mayor, Jim Strickland, called Smith “the most significant Memphian in history.” He said Smith “benefited our city in every way possible and allowed generations of Memphians to achieve the American dream.” Fine words, but they gloss over how Smith’s success exposed the failures of overregulated industries.
Strickland also offered condolences, saying, “God bless Fred Smith.” It’s a nice sentiment, but Smith’s real blessing was showing how innovation trumps government meddling. His story is a rebuke to the progressive push for centralized control.
Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn joined the tributes, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Fred Smith.” She’s right to mourn, but let’s not forget that Smith’s patriotism was rooted in action, not empty rhetoric.
Blackburn praised Smith’s “leadership and innovation” that “transformed global commerce.” She added, “He will be remembered for his relentless drive, patriotism, and commitment to service.” Yet, her words dodge the real lesson: Smith’s success came from sidestepping the progressive obsession with equality of outcome.
Blackburn noted, “His legacy will endure not only through the company he built but through the countless lives he touched.” True, but that legacy also includes proving markets work better than mandates. Smith’s FedEx didn’t need a diversity quota to deliver.
Smith’s philanthropy reflected his values, with millions donated to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. He didn’t just write checks; he honored the institution that shaped him. Compare that to today’s virtue-signaling CEOs chasing ESG scores.
Blackburn closed her tribute, saying, “Praying for his wife, children, and family.” Smith leaves behind 10 children, who inherit not just wealth but a roadmap for building something real. Let’s hope they ignore the woke noise and follow his example.
At his death, Smith’s net worth stood at $5.3 billion, a fortune earned through ingenuity, not handouts. Critics might sneer at his wealth, but they can’t deny the jobs and opportunities he created. That’s the American dream, not some socialist fantasy.
Fred Smith’s life shows what happens when vision meets execution, unhampered by government overreach. His “hub and spokes” system didn’t just deliver packages—it delivered a lesson in how to outsmart the status quo. Memphis and the world owe him a salute.
