Santa Ron's Bio

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Santa Ron began as a real bearded Santa in 1999 and looks at being Santa as a calling similar to what a minister or physician would receive.  He received his calling on the Amtrak Heartland Flyer passenger train.  While serving on the Oklahoma Heartland Flyer coalition, he volunteered to be Santa for the Christmas Train.  Having admired the Santa's in the malls, he never saw himself as the "Big Guy", but it was during his inaugural visit, that his "heart grew two sizes".  He then started visiting friends, day care centers as well as nursing facilities.  

Since then, he has attended several Santa Schools both locally and internationally.  His experience,  knowledge, and kid at heart personality has allowed him to expand his annual visits to include large scale gatherings such as community Christmas events & parades, corporate events, hospitals, museums, and of course day cares and private home visits, as well.  

He has served as the past Secretary for the Oklahoma chapter of the International Brotherhood Of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS).  In addition, he was selected as a 2016 Frontline Hero and as a runner up for Regional Santa Of The Year by the International Brotherhood Of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS).  

When Santa Ron was a "little Santa", his parents taught him to always treat everyone the way that you'd like to be treated and Santa Ron has carried this philosophy with him and tries to live his daily life as he does when he is in his "dress reds" and strives to make a difference in someones life daily.  

Santa Ron made several trips to Baptist Hospital and visited the children in pediatrics. 

In addition to his Santa visits, he is also a member of the BetesBro's, which provides education and support to diabetics.  He volunteers with the Eastern Canadian County Santa's Toy Shoppe that provides toys to local children at Christmas.  He also assists Operation Nurses Helping Nurses, as well as annual visits to the Oklahoma Children's Cancer Association.  

Being an animal lover, its only reasonable that Santa Ron also volunteers and helps several local pet rescues as well as volunteering at the Oklahoma City Zoo, both at Christmas and during the regular year.

His love of trains also has led Santa Ron to the Oklahoma Railway Museum, where he is not only Santa, but also a member.   

Santa Ron has had the privilege of visiting numerous venues in and around Oklahoma, some of which include...

Bass Pro in OKC

OKC Zoo

Paseo Arts District

Oklahoma Railway Museum

Oklahoma Children's Cancer Association

TrueSky Credit Union

City Of Guthrie

City Of Tuttle

City Of Minco

Due to scheduling, please check the calendar for the current locations and venues.

Santa Ron was selected as one of Oklahoma's Front-line Hero's for his charity work during the 2016 Christmas holiday.  He was also selected by the IBRBS as Runner-Up for Regional Santa Of The Year.

In September, 2014, Santa Ron was featured on the front page of the Daily Oklahoman,  

as well as  being featured in the Mustang Oklahoma Times, the Tuttle Times, Guthrie News Ledger, Look At OKC magazine, and on the TravelOK website.  In December '19, Santa Ron was again on the front page of the Daily Oklahoman, as well as being on KWTV (Channel 9) and had photos listed in the Christmas Eve addition of the Daily Oklahoman.

KWTV story on 12/24/19 - https://www.news9.com/clip/14974149/santa-claus-pays-visit-brings-joy-to-integris-childrens-hospital 

Daily Oklahoma Gallery on 12/24/19 -  https://oklahoman.com/gallery/6040936/santa-visits-integris-childrens-at-baptist-medical-center?fbclid=IwAR2_1-NpBbUMvLUVtkuqJCVzi1lYrLQpNld8EBFFLjHEEWxEB-umpkWjoQg 

Daily Oklahoma Gallery - 12/13/19 -  https://oklahoman.com/gallery/6040906/santa-visits-the-oklahoma-city-zoo-and-botanical-garden?fbclid=IwAR1lWP1dUFGhEhYBw9lfQXfaEPBQrzT3YyT2VFMxKyoD2II7fXmxGN8gtco 

KOCO video on 12/13/19 -  https://www.koco.com/article/video-santa-claus-visits-animals-at-oklahoma-city-zoo/30225007 

Daily Oklahoman Interview and news story on 9/24/2018 -  https://oklahoman.com/article/5609398/interviews-photos-and-video-oklahoma-santa-claus-ron-santa-ron-herendeen-turns-diabetes-diagnosis-into-childrens-fitness-initiative 

Being diabetic and having Arterial Fibrillation, Santa Ron has learned the importance of a healthy lifestyle as well as regular exercise.  As such, he has a fitness coach and currently works out almost daily and has been able to remove his dependency on most of his medications.    

He is currently working with several entities to encourage children to be more active and to eat healthier.  He often  tells children that he is trying to be healthier and would prefer carrots and water instead of cookies & milk.  

When not serving his Santa duties, Santa Ron is an avid model railroader,  enjoys travelling, home renovation, reading, going to the gym, baseball games, scuba diving,  swimming, off-road driving,  and assisting with the following groups:

Rocky Spot Dalmatian Rescue

Mustang Senior Center

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) 

Wounded Warriors

Nurses Helping Nurses

Eastern Canadian County Santa's Toy Shoppe

Oklahoma Children's Cancer Association

Oklahoma Railway Museum

Bronco's Against Bullying

Conquer Youth

Rock The Spectrum Gym