July 09, 1935 - December 05, 2020
Benjamin J. Reddish, Jr. 85, passed away on December 5, 2020.
Mr. Reddish is well known in the greater Stockton community for his leadership and transformation of the lives many students during his time as an educator in the Stockton Unified School District. Alongside his wife Janie, Mr. Reddish had a life fully dedicated to serving others. He received his Master's degree from the Benerd School of Education in 1971. During his long career as a teacher and counselor in Stockton, he consistently focused his skills on being a role model for youth and providing students with the skills needed to reach their full potential and become productive citizens. In addition to his calling to counsel, Mr. Reddish helped transform lives as a volunteer for Pacific's Community Involvement Program (CIP), and serving on many boards, including The Kiwanis Club of Stockton, the Stockton Symphony Association, The San Joaquin County Historical Society, Phi Delta Kappa International, Stockton Sister Cities Organization, Association of Filipino American Educators, The Esquire Club of Stockton, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., People to People International , SUSD Black Employees Association, National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 2017, he was honored with an award from the Community Involvement Program (CIP) named after him, the Benjamin Reddish Community Impact Award. In 2019, he was honored by the Pacific Alumni Association for the Distinguished Alumni Award for Volunteer Service. Photography was a love of his and he could often be taking photos at various events. When he had an opportunity to share wisdom from the stage/podium, which was often, we heard many stories filled with humor, hope and empowerment. He was the epitome of Black excellence and served as a source of inspiration for many people over a lifetime of leadership, scholarship and genuine love for each and every person who had the pleasure of learning from him. Mr. Reddish will be deeply missed, but his memory and teachings will continue to be cherished by his survivors: his wife, Janie B. Reddish of Stockton, Ca; one son Mr. Benjamin J. Reddish, III of Wyoming, RI, one sister in-law Mary Arnwine of Ivoryton, CT, one nephew Mr. Carlos V. (Shirley) Cave, Sr. of Bluffton, SC, one niece Dr. Harriet Anita Roland of Orangeburg, SC several great nephews and nieces; numerous cousins, loving friends, former students, fraternity brothers and many caring associates.
Mr. Reddish would always ask… "Are you choosing to have a good day?" so let's each remember his words of encouragement as we walk through our daily lives and "Make the Choice to Have a Good Day."
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 13th 2020 at 4:00pm on Zoom. To receive a service bulletin and ZOOM link please e-mail Susie Wanden BY 3:00 p.m. on Friday December 11: swanden@cumcstockton.org. Include your contact information for the guest book.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the scholarship fund honoring Benjamin J. Reddish, Jr.: Benjamin and Janie Reddish Endowed Scholarship, University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95211, Attn: Benjamin and Janie Reddish Endowed Scholarship Or electronically: Reference: Benjamin Reddish or Benjamin and Janie Reddish Endowed Scholarship, Online Giving Link: www.pacific.edu/makeagift
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Reddish family.