“I am putting tile down at a store here. I can do any type of repair work or electrical work and have been doing it for 17 years. When I got out of the Air Force I was an electronic warfare systems specialist and I started working with an electrical company. When I was building my house, someone left me high and dry so I had to figure it out on my own. I got into it so no one else would be taken like I was. I give a fair price and a fair job and walk away knowing I can sleep at night. I am a captain on Fish River Marlow fire department. We average three fires a year and most of our calls are medical and accidents. Five of my six children are in the department and I followed them.  We live close together and it helps response time when six of us can respond within five minutes. I have learned that failure isn’t failure, it is just a first attempt at learning. I have lived that my whole life. My oldest child was born two weeks before I turned 15. I grew up quick. I am a professional Santa Claus and the season started last weekend. The starry-eyed kids are what make it fun. It is about the joy, belief and magic you give kids. There is no better feeling. This is my 7th season as a real beard ed Santa.I will put the suit on over 50 times in a season. Sometimes several times a day. I have four Santa suits and a lot of casual Santa suits.  I have to be Santa 24/7, 365 days a year. It is living life the right way, spreading cheer and remembering what Christmas is about. It is not hard. The hardest part is getting used to always being watched so I can’t be at the bar drinking. You never know who is watching or taking pictures. I have to worry about how my hair looks or if my shirt is a mess. It is a little more complicated when I work an accident, people slow down to look at the accident and it gets worse when I am holding the sign to control the traffic. People want to stop and say hi to Santa.”