FedEx's first Black aircraft mechanic, James Coopwood, has died

James Coopwood, 78, FedEx’s first Black aircraft mechanic and a long-time aircraft maintenance technician, has died. Coopwood, a Memphis native and a U.S. Air Force veteran, passed away on July 8. A celebration of life was held July 24 at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Germantown. In comments shared by FedEx CEO and COO Richard Smith, Coopwood is described as leaving a “legacy at FedEx.” Smith noted Coopwood joined the company on April 15, 1973—two days before FedEx’s first night of operations—and later became the first Black supervisor in aircraft maintenance.