Lee Perkins was a radio personality at stations such as KJR and KOL/Seattle, KISN/Portland, and WIFE/Indianapolis. Lee also taught broadcasting at Bates Vocational-Technical Institute in Tacoma. The on-air radio station at Bates was KTOY-FM. Lee and his wife later owned the radio stations in Enterprise, Oregon. Lee Perkins was 91.
LEE PERKINS search at QZVX.COM
Wolfman Jack
Thanks Lee
derek allen • August 5, 2026
Lee Perkins was my radio broadcasting instructor the last year or so i was in Radio School at Bates Vocational School. I would be remiss if I didnt mention Russ Stringham, who was my first instructor at Bates. Shout out to Darin Lamb.
I loved Lee like a father, only i didnt realize it then. I was a there from about 1973-76 – I had to take a leave of absence for a bit. Lee had an incredible laugh. One day the microphone fell to the floor in our new orange studio and i had to adlib the next few minutes or so. Whatever I said, Lee Perkins was laughing so hard, i could hear it from his office to the control booth. Love you Lee, RIP
Broadcast School Memories
Jason Remington • August 5, 2026
Derek,
I had the same instructors at LH Bates. You speak of Darren Lamb. He ended up working as an installer for Comcast. Great guy! And Sheri…..
Lee was wonderful. One phone call from Lee got me one of my first gigs.
Chuck Ellsworth was a mentor. An honest guy you could depend on.
Russ Stringham, a type A personality, with a stomach ulcer. Good at giving direction, a real pro.
Bill Luckhurst was the station engineer. Probably the most laid-back engineer there was. Never saw him upset, though the students sometimes gave him cause.
I went to elementary school in Tacoma with a Derek Allen.
Good to hear from you!!
Mike Barer • May 29, 2024
I didn’t hear him on the air, however, heard of him in posts on Seattle radio history. Rest in peace.
Jason Remington • May 27, 2024
KOL probably got make-good ads due to the screw-up in the ad that says “doal 1300” instead of “dial 1300” – errors in newspaper ads were a pet peeve of mine. WTH! Do I have OCD or something?
Jason Remington • May 27, 2024
I had the honor and enjoyment of being Lee’s newsman at KOL in 1967, and we remained in contact with each other in all the intervening years. A terrific broadcaster, his buoyant energy, sense of humor, and engaging personality never waned.
RIP old friend….
Bill Taylor
Neal Darrow • May 26, 2024
In 1965 I was at what was named Tacoma Technical Vocational Institute….where Chuck Ellsworth was instrumental in placing me on KTOY fm and on camera doing news etc.
Great memories.
Jason Remington • May 26, 2024
KTPS channel 62 tv, just down the hall from KTOY FM. I remember it well.
Neal Darrow • May 27, 2024
Live news sent to schools, rip and read with 2 cameras.
Jason Remington • May 25, 2024
My instructors at LH Bates Voc-Tech/KTOY-FM were Chuck Ellsworth, Lee Perkins, Russ Stringham and Allen MacMillan. The station engineer was Bill Luckhurst.