John H. Reading

John H. Reading (November 26, 1917 – February 7, 2003) was an American businessman and politician based in Oakland, California. He was elected as the 44th Mayor of Oakland, California and served three four-year terms, from 1966 to 1977. Reading is the last Republican to be elected Mayor of Oakland.

Early Life and Career

Born in Glendale, Arizona, Reading moved as a youth with his family to Oakland. There he attended public schools, including Fremont High School. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1940.^[1]

During World War II, Reading served in the Army Air Force as both a pilot and flight training officer. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.^[2]

After the war, Reading inherited his father's business, Ingram's Food Products. The company was based in East Oakland, and was famous for frozen Red's Tamales.^[3] In 1950, Reading bought out his father's interest in the company and expanded its reach statewide. Reading also was president of the Reading Machinery Company, Tempting Food's Inc. and the Joanna Banana Corporation.^[4]

Political Career

in 1961, to the surprise of many, including Reading himself, Mayor John C. Houlihan asked Reading if he would be willing to serve on the City Council, taking Houlihan's previous spot.^[5] Shortly afterwards, he was appointed to the Oakland City Council.^[6] During his time as a councilman, Reading criticized the Oakland Raiders for asking the city to fund construction of a large press box at Frank Youell Field. despite the city approving the use of emergency funding for the field.^[7] He also called on Mayor Houlihan to appoint more qualified minorities to city boards and commissions.^[8] On February 2, 1966, Reading announced that he would run for California's 15th State Assembly District.^[9] However later in the month, Mayor Houlihan announced that he would be resigning his position as Mayor, with Reading and fellow city councilman Felix Chialvo being named as potential successors.^[10] Reading would eventually be appointed Mayor on March 2, 1966, with an official start date of April 30.^[11]

Early in his tenure, Reading announced a five point jobs program intended to assist what he called "Oakland's voiceless minorities". At the same time, Reading opposed the idea of community organizations such as the Oakland Council of Churches protesting and bringing in organizers such as Saul Alinsky.^[12] After the announcement, Mexican-American community leaders were outraged by the Reading's language and accused him of governing by condescension.^[13] Additionally, Reading had wanted to appoint African American leader Carl B. Metoyer to replace his previous spot on the council, but other council members rejected Metoyer, instead appointing Frank H. Ogawa to the council.^[14] In May of 1966, Lionel Wilson, the president of the Oakland Economic Development Council criticized Oakland's City Council for not supporting some of Reading's plan for uplifting Oakland's minority population.^[15]

In 1968 Charlie Finley moved the Athletics baseball team from Kansas City to Oakland during Mayor Reading's tenure. The Oakland Athletics won three World Series while Reading was mayor. He was instrumental in gaining funding and supporting construction of the new Oakland Coliseum and expansion of the Oakland International Airport.^[16]

Reading was elected three times: in 1967 to the position of mayor by appointment on an unexpired term, in 1969 for his first full four-year term. In 1973, Reading was forced into a run-off election by Democrat Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party. Reading won re-election easily.^[17]

Reading returned to his business after serving as mayor. He lived with his family in the Oak Knoll District of Oakland. Reading died in 2003 in Indian Wells, California.^[16]

References

1. ^ "Leatherneck Wins Promotion". Vol. 138, no. 94. Oakland Tribune. 4 April 1943. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
2. ^ "Air Guardsmen Train in South". Vol. 151, no. 56. Oakland Tribune. 25 August 1949. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
3. ^ DeFao, Janine (2003-02-13). "JOHN READING / Former mayor of Oakland -- his firm made Red's Tamales". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
4. ^ "Reading to bring New Council View". Vol. 175, no. 2. Oakland Tribune. 2 July 1961. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
5. ^ "Reading to Bring New Council View". Vol. 175, no. 2. Oakland Tribune. 2 July 1961. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
6. ^ "Oaths of Office Set Stage for Fast Reorganization". Vol. 175, no. 2. Oakland Tribune. 2 July 1961. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
7. ^ "Work Stalled at Youell Field - Raiders Delay Pact Signing". Vol. 176, no. 38. Oakland Tribune. 7 February 1962. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
8. ^ "Negro Selections Spurned: Houlihan". Vol. 177, no. 255. Oakland Tribune. 12 September 1963. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
9. ^ "J. H. Reading in 15th District Race". Vol. 93, no. 33. Oakland Tribune. 2 February 1966. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
10. ^ "Who'll Be Mayor? Meeting Called". Vol. 93, no. 56. Oakland Tribune. 25 February 1966. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
11. ^ Martin, Bill (2 March 1966). "John Reading Named Mayor". Vol. 93, no. 61. Oakland Tribune. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
12. ^ Martin, Bill (2 April 1966). "Reading Unveils Minority Aid, Job Plan". Vol. 93, no. 93. Oakland Tribune. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
13. ^ "Reading 'Outrages' Minority". Vol. 93, no. 93. Oakland Tribune. 3 April 1966. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
14. ^ "Reading says He Will Offer City Post to Metoyer". Vol. 93, no. 96. Oakland Tribune. 6 April 1966. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
15. ^ "Minority Problems Discussed by Panel". Vol. 93, no. 147. Oakland Tribune. 17 May 1966. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
16. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (2003-02-14). "John Reading, 85; as Mayor, Expanded the Oakland Airport". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
17. ^ "Reading Defeats Seale Easily for Oakland Mayor". The New York Times. 1973-05-17. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-24.