A Dear Friend, a Giant of Civil Rights

  • by Kevin R. Johnson
reynoso.jpg
At commencement a few years ago with Cruz Reynoso and Amagda Pérez. Photo courtesy of Rose Cuison-Villazor
It has been a tough week.  In a big blow to the King Hall community, we lost a civil rights warrior, Cruz Reynoso. Carla Meyer's fitting tribute brought tears to my eyes as I processed the loss of a dear friend, read here: Cruz Reynoso, a UC Davis and California Icon, Dies at Age 90.
 

In 2013, I interviewed Justice Reynoso post-retirement for the UC Davis Faculty Emeriti Association's video records project. It was an enjoyable discussion and I learned much.   Cruz Reynoso - University of California, Davis (ucdavis.edu).

Although he retired in 2006, Cruz still came to the office every day, generally by 7 a.m.  I looked forward to our daily chats on law, politics, law school matters, families, and more.  I will miss him and remember him for his basic decency and respect for everyone he came into contact with.