Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Tony Perot By John Bridges | February 24, 2021 at 7:36 PM CST - Updated February 24 at 7:36 PM
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A Lake Charles man who helped create the popularity of Gumbeaux Gator has died from COVID-19.
Some folks may not have recognized the name Tony Perot in the obituaries last week, but those who grew up during the early days of Gumbeaux Gator knew who he was.
The late Marty Myers created the character for the SWLA Convention and Visitors Bureau, but Tony Perot made Gumbeaux come alive.
“Tony had a fun, really lively personality. Gumbeaux Gator, the character, really wasn’t meant to speak. He was just to go out and make movements, be in his costume and shake hands. But tony brought a whole other personality to Gumbeaux Gator, and he is the only Gumbeaux Gator who spoke,” said former CVB director Shelley Johnson.