"I can walk around, but don’t ask me to shake — I can’t do that."
For decades, Frankie Staton has gone into costume to play the people he admires.
He’s been his idol, Elvis Presley (he has two suits, a guitar and a voice that can do Elvis just fine). He’s been Charlie the Clown, big feet, wig and all.
But he’s has been Santa Claus the longest, almost 60 years, since he was a 15-year-old boy dealing with a dad who was often a mean, violent drunk. Giving away presents, Staton soon found out, could make kids so happy.
And when he rides a motorcycle dressed as Santa? That makes people smile.
This Christmas, Staton’s Santa Claus motorcycle sits outside his bungalow near Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, complete with tinsel, oversized candy canes, a reindeer head and, of course, a lit-up red nose.
It’s not going many places anytime soon though. After 58 years, this Santa has finally been grounded. Doctor’s orders.
Read more at the Florida Times-Union.