Jay Perkins, age 79, formerly of Stearns, the husband of Flora Tapley Perkins, passed away, July 2nd, 2024 at the Lake Cumberland Regional Medical Center, and was placed into the care of the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home.

Gathering of friends and family was on Friday, July 5th, at 12:00pm, in the Chapel of the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home, followed by a Eulogy reading at 3:00pm.

Jay was born on March 31st, 1945 to Donald Whalen and Irene (Perkins) Ball, he was raised by his grandfather and grandmother, Walter and Vicie (Strunk) Perkins, whom he loved dearly. Jay graduated high school at the McCreary County High School where he was star baseball player. After high school Jay started a remarkable career in entertainment. He would go on to headline at Renfro Valley for many years, open for many great Nashville Country Stars, and even write his own hit single, "Boy From Tupelo", a tribute song to Elvis. His talent did not end there, he was also a skilled and renowned wildlife artist, able to capture the beauty of the world around him. Jay married the love of his life, Flora Tapley Perkins, on January 18th, 1992 after 5 years of courtship. Jay retired from Flasher Sign of Somerset, and also worked at the Hickman Funeral Home. Everywhere Jay went he brought joy and laughter to those around him.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter and Vicie Perkins, his father, Donald Whalen, his mother, Irene (Perkins) Ball, and his brothers, Charles Whalen and Larry Whalen.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Flora (Tapley) Perkins, of Monticello, his son, Jamie Perkins, of Central City, KY, his daughter, Jana Rae Bridges and her husband Justin, of Evansville, IN, his sisters, Joan McCurry, of Cincinnati, and Gail Tierney, of Cincinnati, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Jay Perkins.