Benjamin J. Reddish Jr. Announced as the 67th Stocktonian of the Year

It is with great pleasure the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce and Central Valley Association of Realtors announce that Benjamin J. Reddish Jr. has been selected as the 67th Stocktonian of the Year.  Mr. Reddish will be the first posthumous honoree and the 2nd African American to receive the award. 

On Wednesday, February 10th past Stocktonians of the Year, members of the Stocktonian of the Year Selection Committee and some community members surprised Benjamin’s wife Janie and son B. Joe Reddish III with the news on a Zoom call. 

Benjamin J. Reddish Jr. Passed away at the age of 85 on December 5, 2020.  During his life he was well known in the Stockton community for his leadership, volunteerism and service.  He was a great civic leader and had a big influence on Stockton’s history.   

Benjamin received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from South Carolina State University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of the Pacific.  Benjamin served in the US Army as a Laboratory Technician. After his service to our country, he returned to Stockton and started his 43 year career with Stockton United School District as a counselor and educator. 

During his life Benjamin was very involved with many community organizations. Here is a list of just some of his civic and community activities: 

• Esquire Club Inc. of Stockton – Founding Member 
• Kiwanis Club of Stockton – Past President 
• Kiwanis Key Club – Coach & Mentor 
• People to People International – Past President 
• Stockton Sister Cities Association – Past President 
• Association of Filipino Americans in Education – Board Member/Historian 
• University of the Pacific’s Community Involvement Program (CIP) 
• Stockton Symphony Association – Board Member 
• California School Counseling Association (CSCA) – Past President 
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Nu Beta Lambda Chapter – Past President 
• Phi Delta Kappa Internation, UOP Chapter – Past President 
• Human Rights Action Unit, CPGA – Past President 
• Community Involvement Board, University of the Pacific – Past President 
• San Joaquin County Historical Society – Board Member 
• SUSD Black Employees Association 

In 2017 Benjamin was honored with an award from the University of the Pacific Community Involvement Program (CIP) which they named after him, the Benjamin Reddish Community Impact Award.  In 2019 Benjamin was honored by the Pacific Alumni Association with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Volunteer Service. 

Mr. Reddish was an avid photographer and could be found at many local events, often offering his services for free, photographing and sharing his love of photography and the community. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and gathering restrictions, the banquet to honor Benjamin J. Reddish Jr. is on hold. We will update this page with more information as the event is scheduled. 

Click Here to watch the Surprise Zoom

Media Coverage:

• Click Here to watch the KCRA 3 coverage.
• Click Here to read the article in The Record

The Stocktonian of the Year honors those individuals who embody the spirit of volunteerism and who have conscientiously served and positively impacted the community. The award recognizes those who are making a difference in our City and who do not typically seek or receive recognition for their efforts. Recognizing that individual for their acts of goodness, extensive community involvement and continual devotion to the betterment of Stockton.

Stocktonian of the Year Past Recipients