Carl Anderson, beloved Dallas NorthPark mall Santa for 30 years, dies at 70
A man who played Santa Claus at a Dallas mall for three decades, died last week.
Carl John Anderson, 70, dressed up as “Old Saint Nick” at NorthPark Center in Dallas for over 30 years, sharing stories and special moments with all who visited him. Anderson died Friday in Austin, according to his obituary.
Anderson was born on March 13, 1953, in Passaic, New Jersey, and grew up in Winter Park, Florida, and Houston.
He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a doctorate in psychology and worked professionally as a child psychologist. Later, Anderson returned to UT Austin as an adjunct professor.
Along with teaching the next generation, Anderson would make the trip from Austin to Dallas every year to spread cheer as Santa Claus. He retired from playing Santa Claus in 2022.
“I am so appreciative to have been a part of their holidays and their life — that they treasure our memories and experiences together as fondly as I do,” Anderson told The Dallas Morning News in 2022. “I hope that I created an impact through the stories I told.”
Anderson was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew.
A celebration of Anderson’s life is being planned. In lieu of flowers, his family is asking people to consider making a donation in Anderson’s name to a charity of their choosing.
Anderson’s visitation will be held Wednesdat at 1 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Dr. in Austin. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m..
“Carl touched countless lives over his years at NorthPark and became a treasured member of many annual family traditions,” his family wrote in his obituary.
