John Lester Lytle

John Lester Lytle was born in Ralston, Oklahoma on August 12, 1932, and departed this life in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at the age of 82 years. John was the son of Sherman N. and Mattie (Bowen) Lytle. He was a resident of Stroud most of his life. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He married Marion Gooch in Stroud, Oklahoma on August 7, 1954. He worked as a professional truck driver for many years. He attended the Stroud Christian Church. After his accident, John started playing Santa Claus at nursing homes, schools, and churches and they always wanted him to come back. After years of playing Santa with a fake beard, people made him believe that if he grew a real beard he could go professional. However, every time his beard would get long, it seemed he became sick. So, John would shave his beard off and sure enough he would get well. Finally in 1994, he decided 'I am not going to shave' and sure enough after a few weeks he got better. He even began to like the beard. Then, with Christmas approaching, his wife, Marion said, 'Let me send some photos to the Promenade Mall in Tulsa.” The mall's management loved the photos of Santa John Lytle and hired him , he was the main Santa for over 14 years. His only regret was wishing he had started earlier in life. When the mall called to negotiate a contract with him and made him an offer, he couldn't believe it. He would have worked for free. He just loved making and seeing children smile. Some were scared of Santa, but if the parents gave them a little time, he captured their smile. After a few years, John’s health began to fail and he was no longer able to pick up the children. In 2008, he had to give up his career as Santa Claus. He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Irene Venable and Ramona Cavett, one brother, William Lytle and one grandson, Brandon Lytle. Survivors include: his wife, Marion Lytle of Stroud; sons and daughters-in-law, Johnny and Abby Lytle of Knoxville, TN, Mark Lytle of South Dakota and Rodney and Kelly Lytle of Stroud; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Stan Davis of Bristow; brother, Ivan Lytle of Shawnee; sisters, Georgia Beaver of Cushing, Linda Dotson of Prattville and Sharon Southern of Skeedee; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends. Funeral service will be held at the Stroud Christian Church on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at 2:00 PM with Rev. Will Fine officiating. Burial will follow at the Stroud Cemetery, Stroud, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Stroud.