Saluting "The Old Rebel" on His 100th Birthday.

Image from Find-A-Grave. George Elliott "Old Rebel" Perry (1921 - 1980)

"Greensboro's Santa Claus". For generations of people in North Carolina as well as Virginia and beyond, that phrase may conjure memories of "The Old Rebel". This was the kids TV persona of WFMY Channel 2 reporter and host George Perry who was born 100 years ago on December 2, 1921 in Iredell County, NC. 

From the early 1950s to the 1970s, Perry was an institution with his top hat, tie and false whiskers. The Old Rebel was accompanied by Pecos Pete, Uncle Roy, Lonesome Lee and many other beloved characters. 

There are many memories of Perry to be found online at sites like TV Party, WFMY-TV, North Carolina History blogs.