Starks, Maine Raymond Earl Perkins, 74 passed away on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 with family by his side. Ray was born in Skowhegan, Maine on July 16, 1948, the son of Kenneth Earl Perkins and Eurline (Merrill) Perkins. He attended Skowhegan schools graduating with the class of 1968 from Skowhegan High School. Ray's greatest love was cutting down trees. He worked in the woods all of his life for profit and mostly pleasure. He held other jobs over the years farming, doing mechanical work, and carpentry, but always returned to his chainsaw, felling trees for lumber or firewood. Raymond also loved building. More than once, he took a one room shack and added on until it was a full home with basement, attic and many rooms. Most of those were built from the lumber of trees he had cut himself. Ray especially enjoyed fishing with his buddies. Many memories were made fishing for brookies and smoking green cigars. In later life, Ray built his home in Starks, Maine and enjoyed a peaceful life in his bit of the forest. He loved his chickens and built them a 5-star deluxe coop where they lived like queens! They in turn provided him many eggs, but more importantly, companionship. He had good neighbors and friends nearby who he shared projects and a meal with now and then. He will certainly be missed in the neighborhood. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth; mother, Eurline and sister-in-law, Katherine Perkins. Ray is survived by his brothers, Jerry Perkins of Cornville, Philip Perkins and wife Louise of Oxford, and sister Sheila Fitzmaurice and husband Tom of St. Albans. Ray is also survived by three children: Louise Perkins of Nicholls, Georgia, Raymond Perkins Jr. of Lewiston Maine, and Kristen DeBary of Edgewood, Iowa. He had seven grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. There will be a graveside service at Mount Rest Cemetery in Athens in August, date and time yet to be determined. There are plans for a small gathering of friends and family following. Thank you to all of the doctors and nurses at Franklin Memorial Hospital and Central Maine Medical Center for the care he received. Cremation arrangements are by Dan & Scott Adams Cremation and Funeral Services Skowhegan 207-474-0000.