When Lafayette native David Aloysius Koke, Jr., was asked by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association to reign as Gabriel LXXXV, King of Carnival, for the 2024 Mardi Gras season, he did not hesitate to accept. Koke said he was surprised by the honor, but deep down was cautiously hopeful that one day he might follow in the footsteps of so many distinguished gentlemen.