MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former Memphis Mayor Dr. Willie Herenton reflected Monday on the passing of FedEx founder Fred Smith, and his impact on the city of Memphis.

“He’s a legend,” Herenton said. “The great city of Memphis now, and all of the amenities that we enjoy, would not have occurred without the vision, the leadership and the progress that Federal Express made in this city.”

Smith and Herenton had a close relationship from co-chairing the NAACP awards.

FedEx adopted local schools, funded philanthropic ventures and touched both sports and the arts in Memphis.

Smith played a key role in luring the NBA to Memphis in the early 2000s, and in building the stadium where the Grizzlies play, FedExForum.

Herenton said Smith was ahead of his time for seeing globally. FedEx trucks can been seen on roads around the world.

“He never entertained relocating FedEx from Memphis,” Herenton said. “Memphis became his headquarters here. … The impact that Fred Smith has made in Memphis will be in our history forever and ever.”

Called FedEx the lifeblood of Memphis. The company employs more than 30,000 in Memphis, according to estimates.

“FedEx is alive and well, and thank God there was a Fred Smith that had a vision and carried it out, and the world, and Memphis, are better because Fred Smith lived.”