Kent R. Perkins

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1/09/57 ~ 09/09/11
The old farmhouse stood in the ivory glow of a fall sunset in the Sanpete Valley awaiting its owners for a special weekend. They never arrived. Kent Perkins, 54, of Salt Lake City passed away unexpectedly and peacefully September 9, 2011 en route to his beloved Crawforth Farmstead in Spring City, Utah, ending a nearly 5 year journey ALS. His partner Scott and his personal nurse, Josh were at his side.
Kent Rae Perkins was born January 9, 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the youngest of four boys born to Joyce Renee Jacobson and William Earl Perkins. He attended Salt Lake City schools and made a long career in the automotive paint and glass business. He was a co-owner in the former Shoot the Moon card and gift business in Sandy.
Kent and Scott spent their work week in Salt Lake and each weekend in Spring City. Kent loved to scour rural Utah for pioneer furniture, even entire log cabins which were reconstructed on new sites. They hosted a large gathering each summer and generously opened their historic home to hundreds of visitors attending Spring City Heritage Days during the Memorial Day weekend. Kent made the farm magical at Christmas and fireworks filled the winter sky on New Year's Eve.
He enjoyed taking out one of their antique carriages in good weather and the horse drawn sleigh especially if it was through the snowy fields, bells ringing and snow flying. Even though he didn't care for winter he could usually coax a group for night sledding on his fleet of Flexible Fliers, sparks shooting from the runners as they raced over random pieces of gravel or a cattle guard. The scene was somewhere between a Norman Rockwell moment and Flash Gordon.
Soon after Kent's diagnosis with ALS, he decided to retire. Rather than travel on some extended trips, Kent decided he would rather have a project to look forward to over a long term. Kent and Scott sold their Salt Lake residence and purchased the Joseph Walker carriage barn in the Avenues to transform it into their personal residence. He was able to supervise the project while his health held, then eventually from his wheelchair. They were able to move into the house in time for Christmas last year. He never stopped smiling.
Kent was a very proud man blessed with movie star good looks, and easy going personality and always meticulously groomed-including his automobiles. His family instilled in him a strong work ethic. He could fix, make or build anything.
To eventually turn over his every need to others was probably the most difficult. Fernando Enriquez was the perfect person to see that he was perfectly groomed; all things were orderly and cheerful. They had become so close. As Kent's need increased, he was fortunate to have Josh Varney as his companion and personal nurse. The team became one loving family.
Kent met his situation with grace, courage and a large dose of humor. He was supported by a loving family, a devoted companion and a host of friends and extended family who came with love and left with inspiration and resolve. Kent knew he mattered and that made life, challenging as it was, worth living.
He is preceded in death by: his grandparents, a brother, Kevin, and only recently a brother, Barry (Jackie), and his father, Bill. He is survived by: his mother; his brother, Larry (Tina); his partner, J. Scott Anderson; Miss Carrie Grant (the tuxedo cat); extended family and a family of friends. Though we part ways at the summit we wish him peace on the rest of his journey.
Services will be held Thursday, September 15, 2011 at Redwood Memorial Estates. Friends may call at 2:00 P.M. Followed by a graveside service at 3:30 P.M.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to be made to Friends of Historic Spring City, P. O. Box 212, Spring City, Utah 84662 or Muscular Dystrophy Association of Utah, 4578 Highland Drive, #300, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117