George Jones: Playing Santa Claus can be serious business

George “Santa Claus” Jones, with a friend's dog.

It was two years ago at a private function.

Like 40-plus similar occasions during the busy holiday season, George Jones was decked out in red and white. As usual, he was the star of the show.

Kids are excited to sit on Santa Claus’ lap and tell him what tops their Christmas wish lists. But not every young boy or girl is focused on the latest toys or tech devices.

“I was approached by a young girl who said she was being abused by her dad. I asked if her mom and dad were there, and she said they were. So I sat down and talked with them, and I found out that the dad had an alcoholism problem,” George said. “I told him, ‘By the Santa creed that I took, I have to turn you in to authorities.’ He looked at me and said, ‘But you can’t do this.’ I said, ‘I have to, one way or another.’

“As things turned out, the dad has gotten help and is recovering. He calls every once in a while and says, ‘Hey, thanks for opening my eyes.’ And the daughter is back with them and doing great in school now. I would never have thought that I’d be put in that type of situation. But it is really good to know that there are kids out there who still believe in Santa Claus and feel safe telling him anything.”

After 20 years doing Santa gigs for mostly non-profit organizations in Baytown and the surrounding area, George never tires of it. His outgoing personality and desire to make children happy continues to drive him.

In the beginning
George’s own childhood got off to a rocky start. Born in 1955 with a breathing condition, he relied on round-the-clock efforts by his father, Dr. W.T. Jones, to keep him breathing the first 48 hours.

When he was 6 years old, George learned that he would never be able to father children. It wasn’t until years later that it really sank in.

He has filled the void by doting on 32 nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, and by making a difference in the lives of thousands of kids he has entertained as Santa Claus.

George doesn’t need to advertise. The bulk of his events — private parties, fundraisers, parades and festivals — are by word of mouth because of his reputation built through experience and formal training.

“I’m a graduate of two professional Santa Claus schools, one in Colorado and one in Michigan. And I attend the annual Santa convention, where there are roughly 2,500 Santas from all over the world,” George said. “Some Santas are in law enforcement. Some are firefighters. You see people from all walks of life.”

He also is a member of Lone Star Santas, based in The Woodlands. The non-profit organization, which includes members who portray Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, elves and helpers, holds toy drives for kids and helps families throughout the year.

“I’ve learned a lot through all of this. The most important thing is that you have to enjoy being around kids,” George said.

George reminds kids of Santa throughout the year.

He also has learned to own more than one Santa Claus outfit.

“I have five. From the Friday after Thanksgiving until the 25th day of December, I dress as Santa every day. It may be Santa casual, which is red bibs and Christmas shirt, to tux and tails,” George said.

“I have kids come up to me, even when I’m in plain clothes, saying, ‘Mama, mama, there’s Santa. Can I go talk to him?’ It just happens. I really get a kick out of it.”

When he’s not dressing up as Santa or volunteering with a number of area civic organizations, George enjoys spending time with his wife, Tammy, and his father. One of the founding physicians of Gulf Coast Hospital in Baytown, Dr. Jones is now 96. (Note: Dr. Willis Thomas Jones died on March 13, 2017.)

George also has a long list of hobbies that includes collecting “stuff” (slot machines are his favorite), attending auctions and monster truck events, and traveling.

“But my favorite hobby comes six weeks out of the year, and that’s being Santa Claus for all of these kids,” he said.