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Wednesday, December 5, 2001 Local Santa stays busy year-round By JANET
McGREGOR
Have you ever wondered what Santa Claus does when he's not delivering toys and making children smile? Santa, a.k.a. Robert "Ho Ho" Johnson, does a little traveling, spends time with his family and does good works. Johnson has not always been Santa Claus. Like most Santas, Johnson grew up not realizing he would someday be sliding his feet into shiny black boots each Christmas. He and his twin brother, Charles (Chuck), and older sister, Joanne, grew up in Manassas, Va. Life moved along somewhat merrily for Robert through high school and beyond. In high school, he met the future "Mrs. Claus," Betty Ham. Betty, born in Charlotte, N.C., moved to Virginia when she was 9 years old. She and Robert were friends until fate and her boyfriend's job helped them to realize it was more than friendship. When Betty's boyfriend took a job as an usher at a local theater, he was unable to take her out. Robert volunteered to escort Betty to the movies so she could see her boyfriend. Before long, the usher was no longer in the picture for Betty. Because it was "the thing to do as a junior in high school," Johnson joined the National Guard. He never expected to go to war, but around the time he graduated in 1951 his unit was activated. He served two years during the Korean War in anti-aircraft artillery, and a total of four years in the National Guard. In 1953 he married Betty and the couple moved comfortably into married life. Johnson began college, attending William and Mary, planning to major in advertising. However, with the advent of their first child in 1955, he opted to take a job with United States Plywood to better support the growing family. He started as a forklift operator, but soon moved up the ranks to become a territorial sales manager. He worked for the company for 29 years until the company sold out to Georgia Pacific. Due to downsizing, Johnson was soon looking for a new job. "I loved every minute of it," he said about his job. In 1959 baby Royce, known as Chip to most, joined sister Catherine to complete the family. The family had moved to Cumberland County in Pennsylvania while with United. After the demise of the company, Johnson took a job with the county, initially in the tax office. Again he moved up the ranks, working as the Operations Manager until he retired in 1996. Betty was a stay-at-home mom until the children started school. She first worked as a secretary in Virginia. In Pennsylvania she worked for the Episcopal Diocese for three years, then took a job as the administrative assistant to the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives. She retired in 1996 when Robert retired. She said her work for the Majority Leader was "both fun and interesting. But I don't miss it a bit." While in Pennsylvania, Robert served as a committeeman for twelve years. In Pennsylvania, the jurisdictions are set up differently than in Georgia. There are fewer counties and they are much larger. In addition to cities and buroughs, the county is divided into townships. Each township has its own fire, police, sewer and township commissioners, similar to city councilmen. Robert was the committeeman for his township, working to support the party endorsed candidates, working at the election polls and handling other related jobs. One month after retiring, the couple moved south. Much to the dismay of their daughter, who lives in Harrisburg, Penn., son Chip, a Delta pilot, convinced his parents to move to Peachtree City he even located a house for them (complete with a chimney, a requirement for all Santas). The couple hung up their political hats when they retired, although they both stay active and keep abreast of what is happening politically. Now their lives revolve around family, travel and relaxation. Betty is so busy she notes, "I don't know how I ever had time to work." They are active in two senior clubs, Regions Bank's Heritage Club and The Bank of Georgia's Classic Travelers. While they take trips outside of the two clubs, they frequently take advantage of "the really good trips" offered by the groups for seniors. In most cases, they leave their sled behind and opt for more traditional means of travel. They have traveled to the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Acapulco, New Orleans, Branson and Alaska. They've also enjoyed some of the day trips and shows including The Rockettes Christmas Show and the Phantom of the Opera this year. Robert is active in the Golden K Kiwanis and both are avid card players. Betty plays bridge weekly with a regular group that moves from home to home and plays once a month with a church group. They also enjoy reading a good book, although their tastes are somewhat different. Betty sticks mostly to mysteries while Robert will read almost anything, but particularly enjoys history and civil war books. The Omega Book Store is one of Betty's favorite haunts. Of course, during the Christmas season Robert dons the red Santa suit Betty made for him and lets children tug on the beard on his chin, as white as snow (it's real). This year Johnson has a full calendar. He'll be at Gold's Gym for eight days and will also share a few jolly ho-ho-ho's with children at St. Andrews Day School. Although he has officially been "Santa" since 1996, he says he has been Santa for a long time for certain people. Grandchildren of some friends call him "Ho Ho" and become cautious around him when they have been naughty, especially as Christmas nears. Regarding his seasonal work, Robert's eyes twinkle when he talks about his time with the children. "I enjoy doing it because it's a joy to do. I think I am more entertained than the children. I especially enjoy the little ones." He and Betty smiled as they reminisced about some of the "neat letters" he has received from children. He laughed (and his round little belly may have been shaking like a bowl full of jelly) as he talked about one little boy who, when he saw him walk into his classroom, stopped still and pointed his finger at "Santa" and told him loudly and forcefully "I want a train." Luckily Mom gave a nod, so Santa was able to let him know he would be getting one if he kept his name on the "nice list." Santa Johnson likes to have his "chief elf," grandson Daniel, with him to help him keep up with the newer toys on children's lists. Last year Santa was diagnosed with diabetes and as a result he has made a few life changes. In addition to some dietary modifications, he has begun working out on a regular basis. Next year, Santa may be sporting a few new muscles and Betty's talents as a seamstress may be employed to modify his suit. The Johnsons have five grandchildren. Catherine and husband Richard Campbell are the parents of Jason, 22, and Emily, 14. Son Royce "Chip" and wife Gina have three children, Molly, 18, Sarah, 15 and Daniel, 11. Long time Episcopalians, the Johnsons are members of St. Andrews Episcopalian Church in Peachtree City.
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