BANGOR – Verlan Lester Perkins, 71, a resident of Depot Street in Jay, died Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Maine Veterans’ Home after a long illness.

He was born on April 12, 1937, in Jay, the son of Lester Perkins and Edith (McCrillis) Dodge and attended the local schools. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1960 as a jet aircraft mechanic and was stationed in Korea and Japan.

After an honorable discharge, he resided in Jay and worked at G.H. Bass Co. in Wilton for 30 years, retiring in 1999 at the age of 62. He had also worked at Northeast Woodworkers in West Farmington.

He was a member of the American Legion, Post 178 of Waterville. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, stock car racing, the Boston Red Sox and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Fred and Karen Campbell of Palmyra; a grandson, Kristin Campbell, who was the light of his life; two brothers, Kenny Perkins of Ohio, and Gerald Perkins of Milo; a niece, Krista Curtis of Leeds; several cousins including, Norman and Gertrude Crowley of Wilton and Gerald McCrillis Jr. of Sabattus.