MARYSVILLE – Santa will be coming to town for Christmas, but he won’t be here early to pose for pictures like he has for the past 34 years.

This Santa Claus, his real name, used to live in Marysville, not the North Pole, but moved to Amarillo, Texas, 4 1/2 years ago to be near his wife’s grandchildren.

He used to be at Santa’s Den at Slumber Ease Mattress Factory. When he moved out of town, that business found a new one. But then Santa decided he wanted to come back to Marysville each year so he could visit his family. So he set up Santa’s Den near K mart at 9623 State.

“I’ve always done it, and it was the only time I got to see them” (his family), he said. “The Santa trip paid the expenses.”

Santa said no matter where he was, people would come to see him. One woman showed him three generations of photos, with babies just a few days old in each one.

Many locals became concerned when they heard he wouldn’t be here for photos because of a recent heart attack. Since he has helped the community so much, they are encouraging locals to help him. People can cheer him up by sending Christmas lists or get well cards to: 3011 N.E. 11th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79107.

Santa is 68 and officially changed his name about 20 years ago so he wouldn’t be lying to kids.

Santa laughed like a jolly old elf when he found out people were going to write to him. “That’s really nice,” he said.

He had the heart attack Nov. 2. “I’m getting around a little slower, but I’m OK,” he said.

Santa has dealt with heart attacks before. He had three in two days in January of 2000. In 2008 he was swimming with Mrs. Claus in the ocean and had another one. A blood clot caused the latest one. He said it was cleaned out and a stint put in.

“Who knows what’s going to happen next,” he said. “It’s tough on the body.”

Santa expects the elves to pick up the slack so Christmas will go off without a hitch.