By Jerry Grimes
If you grew up in the Midlands during the 1980s and the early 2000s, or raised young children during that time, you have probably unknowingly met Fred McCurdy, also known as “Santa Claus”. He has been a prominent holiday icon for Lexington County, faithfully serving the public and delighting children of all ages. You may fondly remember him on his throne at Woodhill Mall, casually strolling around town, or greeting hungry customers at the Flight Deck Restaurant. This dedicated, sincere servant strategically navigated holiday schedules, family gatherings, traffic jams, and bustling crowds to deliver joy, hope, and goodwill again and again. Hundreds of eager children would patiently wait hours if necessary to sit on his lap to reveal their Christmas wishes to him in hushed whispers; others chose to catch a glimpse of him from behind their parent’s legs.
Fred McCurdy wasn’t just a man in a red suit. He was the “real” Santa. Every December the twinkle in his eye and the warmth of his smile transformed our community, encouraging children and adults to believe in the magic of Santa Claus. Donned in a red robe, furry brimmed hat, and black boots with a velvet sack, Santa Fred’s attention and presence was always in demand. Of course, some children are inherently afraid of Santa, but Fred’s fatherly demeanor and soft, fluffy white beard could usually comfort even the most distressed child.
Friends and family say his journey as Santa began over three decades ago. One friend remembers Fred entering a Santa look-alike contest. With his long, flowing white beard, hearty laugh, and genuine love for almost everyone he met, Fred looked like the jolly old elf himself even when he was not in character. The resemblance was uncanny; his stature, personality, and features represented the image of Santa just as he appeared on television, in fairy tale books, and, of course, as the classic Coca-Cola® Santa Claus.
It wasn’t just a suit. It wasn’t just an act. Everyone who knew Fred says he embodied the Christmas spirit all year round. “He didn’t just look the part. Fred lived it,” his wife, Beth, shared. “He was a big man, and his heart and kindness were as big as him.” Fred loved to joke, tease, make people laugh, and his faith ran deep. His friends remember him for his humor and warm spirit. His family remembers how he tried to make the world a better place, one smile at a time. “I don’t believe that he ever had any truly bad feelings toward anyone at all. He could make friends with anyone he met,” Fred’s grandson, Parker Branham, shared. “That was the Santa part of him.”
A helper, a giver, and a tireless servant to the community, Fred worked as an EMTparamedic for most of his life. At retirement, he served as Communications Supervisor for the Richland County 911 System. His career also included working as the part-time Deputy Coroner for Lexington County and as Disaster Mortuary Operation Response Team (DMORT) member. That led to his national service after the terrorist attack in New York City on September 11, 2001; Fred assisted in identifying some of the nearly 3,000 bodies that were recovered. Co-workers remember him as dedicated, caring, and compassionate on and off the job. “He was proud of his work and very proud of being the community Santa,” Fred’s sister, Pat Buff of Lexington, recalls.
For over 25 years Santa Fred had children from all over South Carolina visit him and sit on his lap, telling him about their wishes, hopes, and dreams for Christmas. Now and then, adults would also pose for a cheeky holiday picture with him, and many times his patrons would ask him to hold their pets. (Dogs and cats, of course, but occasionally someone would surprise him with a bird, snake, or an exotic creature.) For years he had his home answering machine programmed with Santa’s booming deep voice, reminding children to behave and to leave a message with their wish list.
Fred’s natural kindness and love for others was a perfect fit for the role–he touched everyone he met from near and far with graceful wisdom, acceptance, and wonder.
Being Santa is not a position to be taken lightly. The shifts typically last 6 to 12 hours to prevent kids from realizing that a different Santa is sitting in the chair while they have been in line. Santa must listen intently to a steady stream of boisterous children sharing their Christmas wishes, asking sometimes tricky questions, and professing that they have been good all year. Pat fondly recalls her brother and his never-ending passion to brighten everyone’s day, even if only for a few moments, “He loved all children and worked hard to make their Christmas special. He was careful not to promise them anything but always told them that Santa loves them very much.” She remembered how her daughter was enamored with Fred as Santa in his early days at Woodhill Mall, asking to visit him almost daily. “The Woodhill Mall Santa is the real Santa, she told me. She had no idea it was her Uncle Fred,” Pat explained.
In his full North Pole regalia, Fred ushered in the holiday season for thousands who attended Columbia’s Christmas Carillon Parade or watched it from home on WIS-TV 10. He knew how to catch each person’s attention with a deep, bellowing “Ho, Ho, Ho” while waving from the firetruck. Fred had the pleasure of working with the late “Papa” Joe Pinner (10/5/1935-9/22/2024), whom we fondly remember as the lively “Mr. Knozit”, a legendary weatherman and as a cherished Midlands celebrity. “Fred was the epitome of Santa Claus every day of the year,” Pinner said during our interview. Over the many Christmases I spent with him, I saw tens of thousands of smiles on the wee ones’ faces and some older folks, too.” Fred was recognized with the Key to the City by former Columbia Mayor Bob Coble in 2006 and, some years earlier, the Order of the Palmetto from the former SC Governor, Carroll Campbell.
In later years, Fred found great satisfaction in reprising his Santa role in his beloved hometown at the annual Town of Lexington Christmas Parade. Being Santa took a lot of work, with Fred often starting to preen his beard and spruce up his suit as early as September. His wife, Beth, recalls, “He was really into it and didn’t mind a bit. He would always come home with a heartwarming story; that seemed to carry him all year long.”
Although Fred’s absence will be deeply felt at family gatherings and within our community this holiday season, his wonderful Christmas spirit is still with us. His memory is honored with every selfless act of kindness, charity, and love. As you hang the lights on the tree, drape the garland on the mantel, and mix the eggnog this year, make a toast to Fred as you continue his legacy of love, compassion, and goodwill toward men.
