Dennis Ray Perkins

Dennis Ray Perkins, 83, passed away on February 26, 2025, at Camden Clark Medical, Parkersburg, WV. Born in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Jane "Jenny" Maria Abell and Raymond N. Perkins. After his father’s death at the age of 6, his mother later married Robert Long, he and his younger brother Dan, were raised by his mother and stepfather. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dan Perkins, 2 grandsons; Dylan and Jerry Wayne Weston III, as well as one great grandson; Jonathan Nolan.

A 1959 graduate of Bladensburg High School, A Vietnam Veteran, Dennis enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1963, serving as an airplane mechanic with the Strategic Air Command at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. He later settled in Golden Beach, Mechanicsville, Maryland, where he lived for over 45 years. In 2013 Dennis and his wife Cindy retired to Given, WV in Jackson County.

A man of boundless curiosity and expertise, Dennis built a remarkable career as an engineer, fabricator, welder, mechanic, and deep-sea welder and salvager. He contributed to early Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) such as Scarab and Deep Drone, as well as projects for the International Space Station (ISS), Universal Studios, Orlando and Universal Studios, Japan (Jaws and Jurassic Park) as well as displays at Walt Disney World, Epoch Center, Orlando

Dennis had a passion for gunsmithing, boating, sailing, gardening, and building radio remote controlled large model airplanes. He was a devoted father, husband, friend, and mentor, always ready to lend a hand.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Cindy; his children, from his previous marriage to Alice “Jackie” Nelson; Denise Perkins Finstad and Michael Perkins; stepchildren Dawn Magwire, Carrie Welch, and Katie Leymeister; 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Dennis will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service to celebrate Dennis's life will be held 3 p.m., Saturday, March 8th at Waybright Funeral Home. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com