Larry Stewart; Handed Out $1.3 Million as 'Secret Santa'

Larry Stewart, 58, a millionaire who became known as "Secret Santa" for his habit of roaming the streets of Kansas City, Mo., each December and anonymously handing money to people, died of complications from esophageal cancer Jan. 12 at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City. He lived in Lee's Summit, Mo.

Mr. Stewart, who spent 26 years giving away $1.3 million, gained international attention in November, when he revealed himself as the Secret Santa. He was diagnosed in April with cancer and said he wanted to use his celebrity to inspire others to take random kindness seriously.

Mr. Stewart made his millions in cable television and long-distance telephone service.

His anonymous holiday giving started in December 1979, when he was at a drive-in restaurant after having been fired from a job. It was the second year in a row he had been fired the week before Christmas.

"It was cold, and this carhop didn't have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, 'I think I got it bad. She's out there in this cold making nickels and dimes,' " he said. He gave her $20 and told her to keep the change.

After that, Mr. Stewart hit the streets each December, handing out money, often $100 bills, sometimes two and three at a time. He also gave money to community causes in Kansas City and his home town of Bruce, Miss.

Mr. Stewart said he offered the gifts of cash every year because it was something people did not have to "beg for, get in line for or apply for."

Last month, he gave out $100,000 to strangers in Kansas City and Chicago. Mr. Stewart trained four individuals as Secret Santas, and they gave out an additional $65,000.