AUBURN – Verdell E. Sargent, 73, of Dixfield, died Tuesday, March 25, at the Hospice House after the many complications of diabetes.

Also known as “Sarg” or “Dell,” he was born July 18, 1934, in Rumford, the son of Daniel H. and Grace M. (Tracy) Sargent of Hale. He attended Mexico schools.

On June 4, 1976, he married Patricia Ann Macomber. They were together for 32 years.

He had several homes away from home during his young life, the Philbrick family next door, Horatio and Marie Campbell of Poplar Hill, Mexico, Harry and Clyda Carver of Hale and Alton and Pauline Worthley of Worthley Pond and Hale.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during the Korean War from 1952 to 1956. He served tours of duty in the Mediterranean and Caribbean on the USS Tercel AM-386 and the USS Thompson E. Fraser DM-42.

He was employed at Stowell-MacGregor Division of Coats & Clark Inc. for 14 years, Stowell Wood Products for three year and United Timber Corporation’s Timberland Transport and Highland Lumber until the time of his retirement on Dec. 31, 1996.

He was an accomplished crane operator, truck driver, heavy equipment operator and perfectionist. He loved the peace and quiet of the Maine woods and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, ATVing and snowmobiling until his health prohibited him from doing so. He was a lifetime member of the Dixfield Historical Society and American Legion Post 0178.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Dixfield; a daughter, Roxanne Lee Jenkins and her husband, David, of Mexico; two grandsons, D. Alan Jenkins and Jory Lee Jenkins; a stepson, John Merchant Sr. of Mexico; four stepgrandchildren; and several stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Oliver Wilmont Sargent of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Lawson Tracy Sargent of Southington, Conn.; and his first wife, mother of his daughter, Theresa Lorraine Duguay.