Benjamin J. Reddish, Jr.

Mr. Benjamin J Reddish, Jr. on Saturday, December 5, 2020, was chosen to continue his journey and commitment to service as he embraced his eternal life of making a difference through his legacy he leaves of caring, sharing and guiding. Born in Camden, SC on July 9, 1935, and raised in the Town of Blackville in Barnwell County, SC.  He was the youngest of three children born to the late Reverend Benjamin J. Reddish, Sr. (a United Methodist Church Pastor, a Teacher/Professor and World War I Veteran) and Mrs. Margaret Dean Reddish (an Elementary School Teacher).

As a young man he grew up in a loving, Christian educational environment and his parents held high expectations for him. Mr. Reddish was the youngest of three siblings and his parents had a passionate sense of purpose through scholastic achievement, strong work ethic, good self-esteem, service to others and impeccable moral values and beliefs. At an early age he accepted Christ and believed in living a Christian life. He was an active committed member of Central United Methodist Church of Stockton, CA.

Mr. Reddish was an industrious and conscientious student and from an early age he always had a small job in his community. Being the youngest child he did not have to work, but he felt it was important to deliver papers and magazines as a way to contribute to his family and community.

Mr. Reddish was an active and very academically talented student at Macedonia High School in Blackville, SC and graduated with honors. He enrolled in South Carolina State University at the young age of 15 and graduated at age 19 with a BS in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He completed his Master’s in Counseling Psychology at the University of the Pacific. He was honored with receiving National Science Foundation Institute sponsorship and continued receiving honors  and continued to do graduate work at University of Arizona, Tucson;  San Jose State University; Arizona State University, Tempe; University of Oregon, Eugene and South Carolina State University. 

Immediately after college he taught high school for two years teaching math, biology and chemistry. In early 1958 he was drafted into the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, SC where he completed boot camp and then was transferred for technical training to Fort Lee, VA.  On December 9th, 1958, prior to his next transfer to Sharpe Army Depot in California, he married his college sweetheart Janie Burroughs and they have been lovers and best friends for 62 years. To this loving partnership one son was born, Benjamin Joseph III, the love of their life.

Mr. Reddish was honorably discharged from the Army in 1960 at which time he continued to pursue his teaching career and applied for a position with Stockton Unified School District. Mr. Reddish’s career spanned 43 years as an exemplary educator who loved teaching, counseling and community service.  Mr. Reddish was highly respected and admired by his students, parents, community, family and peers.

Everyone knew Mr. Reddish as a Photographer, a Public Speaker, a Supporter of the Arts, but he was also a track star, a musician (played piano and trumpet), a coach and a sports advocate and those are a few that made Mr. Reddish a “Renaissance Man”. He was an exceptional and loving husband, and a guiding and caring father. However, his extended family was inclusive of all whom he engaged with as he believed there was something good in everyone. In addition, Mr. Reddish, throughout life made a difference both locally and globally. 

This is a small glimpse into Mr. Reddish's many civic and community activities which are too numerous to mention all of them:

People to People International – Past President
Esquire Club Inc. of Stockton – Founding Member
Kiwanis Club of Stockton – Past President
Stockton Sister Cities Organization-Past President
The San Joaquin County Historical Society
Association of Filipino American Educators
SUSD Black Employees Association
University of Pacific's Community Involvement Program (CIP)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Nu Beta Lambda Chapter-Past President
Human Rights Action Unit – CPGA – Past President
Delta Sierra Personnel and Guidance Association – Past President 
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Phi Delta Kappa International, UOP Chapter – Past President
California School Counseling Association (CSCA) – Past President
H.B. McDaniel Educational Foundation Board Member Stanford University & Hall of Fame Selectee
Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Stockton Pupil Personnel Association-Past President
Stockton/San Joaquin African American Chamber of Commerce
Stockton Symphony Association – Board Member
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Stockton Pupil Personnel Association – Past President
California State Department of Education Bias Review Committee for Educational Testing Service
California Association for Counseling and Development Human Rights Award
Community Involvement Board, UOP – Past President

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the Community Involvement Program named after him, the Benjamin Reddish Community Impact Award and 2019 he was honored by the Pacific Alumni Association for the Distinguished Alumni Award for Volunteer Service.

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
People to People International – Past President
Esquire Club Inc. of Stockton – Founding Member
Kiwanis Club of Stockton – Past President
Stockton Sister Cities Organization-Past President
The San Joaquin County Historical Society
Association of Filipino American Educators
SUSD Black Employees Association
University of Pacific’s Community Involvement Program (CIP)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Nu Beta Lambda Chapter-Past President
Human Rights Action Unit – CPGA – Past President
Delta Sierra Personnel and Guidance Association – Past President 
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Phi Delta Kappa International, UOP Chapter – Past President
California School Counseling Association (CSCA) – Past President
H.B. McDaniel Educational Foundation Board Member Stanford University & Hall of Fame Selectee
Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Stockton Pupil Personnel Association-Past President
Stockton/San Joaquin African American Chamber of Commerce
Stockton Symphony Association – Board Member
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Stockton Pupil Personnel Association – Past President
California State Department of Education Bias Review Committee for Educational Testing Service
California Association for Counseling and Development Human Rights Award
Community Involvement Board, UOP – Past President

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the Community Involvement Program named after him, the Benjamin Reddish Community Impact Award and 2019 he was honored by the Pacific Alumni Association for the Distinguished Alumni Award for Volunteer Service.

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.” 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the scholarship fund honoring Benjamin J. Reddish, Jr.:

Benjamin and Janie Reddish Endowed Scholarship 
The mailing address: 
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:      Http://pacific.edu/makeagift

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