Sometimes, Santa even gets a casting call

It has been said there are four stages to a man’s life.

He believes in Santa Claus.

He doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.

He is Santa Claus.

He looks like Santa Claus.

Until a few years ago, Lewis Chapman never thought much about No. 4.

Even though his hair had turned as white as a field of cotton and he took a sabbatical from shaving cream, he never looked in the mirror and saw St. Nick.

His life changed one evening when his family went to Mikata Japanese Steakhouse in Macon to celebrate his son-in-law’s birthday.

Chapman never dreamed it would turn out to be an impromptu casting call, that he would be “discovered’’ over the sizzle of the hibachi grill.

A woman walked over to his table, tapped him on the shoulder and recruited him for the part of Kris Kringle in the play “Miracle on 34th Street” at the Macon Little Theatre.

Thus began his magical journey as a man in a red suit. Not only did he land the lead role, he later found himself spreading cheer at holiday events for children with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses.

His own health has declined in recent years. So, for now, he’s a decommissioned Claus. But he still hands out business cards with the name “Santa Lewis” and belongs to a national association known as the Real Bearded Santas.

He also can add a No. 5 to the above list.

You never stop being Santa.

“It becomes a part of you,’’ he said. “I love it when a child sees me at the grocery store or walking down the street. They look at me like they’re supposed to know me, but they don’t know where.’’

He grew up in Twiggs County, the youngest of 10 children. His family moved to Macon when he was 12. He graduated from Lanier High School for Boys in 1958.

He married his wife, Barbara, in 1960 and served in the Navy for four years. They lived in California before returning to Macon in 1966.

Chapman was a welder by trade. In 1989, Barbara and their daughter, Delise, took a $90 investment and started a small company. Bardel Bows — a combination of their first three letters of their names — is now the largest supplier of dog bows in the U.S.

After Barbara died in 1993, Lewis joined a couple of square dancing clubs in Macon. By then, his brown hair had given way to a hard frost. At different times, he had sported either a mustache or goatee. Several of the ladies in the square dancing groups convinced him to grow out his white hair and beard.

Soon, there were signs of a Santa with training wheels. He just didn’t realize it.

His job took him to the Atlanta area, and he moved Cartersville. He was in Macon visiting his family when he had the chance encounter with the woman at the restaurant.

“She asked if I had ever played Santa Claus, and I told her I had never even thought about it or considered it,’’ he said. “I had not done any theater, and I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. So they worked around it. They had members of the ensemble fill in the parts I was supposed to sing.’’

Soon, Chapman owned a Santa outfit and got into character for fund-raisers for Jay’s Hope, a local organization that provides support to children with cancer and their families. At Northwoods Academy on Pierce Avenue, he once had more than 200 children with special needs whisper their Christmas wishes in his ear. He also did charity work for a hospital in Cartersville.

Not all the children want bicycles, video games and baby dolls.

“I had one little boy ask for his mommy and daddy to get back together,’’ Chapman said. “Things like that will break your heart.’’

The oldest person to sit on his lap was an 87-year-old woman. The youngest was a 9-day-old baby.

He knows his wife, Barbara, is looking down from heaven and smiling. She would approve of his role as Santa. For many years, she put on a bear costume and entertained patients at the Children’s Hospital at the Medical Center in Macon. She was known as Medi Tedi.

Two years ago, Chapman was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and now has a portable oxygen machine. It’s not nearly as much fun as toting around a sack of toys. He has had to curtail his appearances. He worries Santa might alarm the children if he struggled to catch his breath on all those ho-ho-hos.

He also had basal cell carcinoma removed from his face last summer. He had to shave to get the bandages to stick to his cheeks. The beard is now back.

Chapman rarely climbs into his Santa suit, but he remains dressed for the part. He wears overalls and red shirts with Santa faces on them.

He eats breakfast at the Waffle House in Cartersville once a week, and everyone calls him Santa. It is especially fun when he shows up on Christmas morning.

It doesn’t matter if it’s April, July or September. Folks still stop and ask to have their picture taken with him.

“Children will say, ‘Look, Mama, there’s Santa!’’ Chapman said. “And I will tell them … you’ve got to believe.’’

This story was originally published December 9, 2016 at 11:58 AM with the headline "Sometimes, Santa even gets a casting call."