Alan Sellif Lundgren

Alan Lundgren was born January 14, 1950 in Highland Park, MI, to Earl Sellif Lundgren and Maryann Kiefer Lundgren. He was a resident of Mansfield, TX, when he passed away on May 28, 2018. Alan was a graduate of Hazel Park High School. He was also a graduate of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, MI.

Everyone who met Alan was overcome by his joyful nature, crystal blue eyes, endearing smile, and gift of gab. He was able to carry on a conversation with anyone about anything for as long as they would listen. His deep love for his children and all of his family was clear because he always had great stories to share about each and every one.
Alan was a hard worker. His first job was a paperboy in Detroit. He often told stories of riding his bike to deliver the paper. If the temperature dropped below zero, his dad would take him on his route. In high school he worked as a cook in a Kresge store diner. Alan graduated from high school in January 1967 just a few days after his 17th birthday. He joined the Air Force after graduation and needed his parents’ consent because of his age. He proudly served his country for 8 years.

Alan’s work career included fun jobs like selling cars in Detroit, working for the convention center and water department in Orlando, Florida; providing customer service for the electric co-op in Hartsville, TN; managing a call center for McKesson in Southlake, TX. In retirement he started an antique business and traveled across the country selling estate jewelry and Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates, a proud part of his Danish ancestry.

When his family sent him to Santa School, Alan was not sure why or what he would do with that knowledge. It took just one Santa visit in his red suit to realize that this was not just an opportunity to dress in red, but it was a mission for him. He touched the lives of thousands of people as Santa and was frequently called the best Santa ever. He could turn frowns into smiles, sadness into happiness, non-believers into believers, and was able to comfort those with major illnesses or recent losses. The magic of Christmas was in his heart and soul and the twinkle in his eyes proved over and over again that the Christmas spirit began with the birth of Jesus and was magnified by the lessons of love, peace, togetherness, and sharing. His stories of the North Pole, the elves, Mrs. Claus and his cat named Snowball provided special memories for many families.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bookout Lundgren, his mother, Maryann Lundgren of Ocala, Florida; Children Matthew and Cindy Lundgren, Eric and Michelle Lundgren, Marc Lundgren, Rebecca Lundgren and Kevin Turner; grandchildren Maria and James Grygier, Ronnie Jones, Noah Lundgren, Autumn Lundgren, Rosemary Lundgren, Jacob Turner, Brittany Rappold, Nicholas Rappold, Colton Turner and Zacary Lundgren all residents near Detroit, Michigan. He is also survived by one great-grandson, Jackson Grygier; his sisters Karen (Ron) Shade and Judy (Ballard) Smith along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Alan was preceded in death by his father Earl Sellif Lundgren and sister Diane S. Lundgren.

Alan is also survived by his Texas family, Shane and Krissa Harris, Robin Rangel and Josh Bever, grandchildren Samuel Rangel and Hattie Harris; sister-in-law Earlene McClendon, nieces and nephews JoLynnia Luttrell, James Luttrell, Luis Saenz, David Luttrell, Paige Davilla, Travis and Cody Luttrell, Ashley McElvany, and fur-babies, Lola, Lucy, Marvin, Riley, Rusty and Rose. He adored his grandchildren and was proud to be called, Papa, Grandpa and Popsie.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County, 5740 Airport Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76117 www.mealsonwheels.org or donations can be made to the Dup15Q Alliance in support of Alan’s granddaughter Hattie Harris who has this rare chromosome disorder www.dup15q.org .