EASTON – Gaylen F Flewelling, 83, died on June 8, 2021 with his devoted family by his side. Gaylen was born in Fort Fairfield on June 24, 1937, the son of the late Fenton and Viola Gray Flewelling. Gaylen graduated from Easton High School in 1954, attended Ricker College and then went on to the University of Maine at Orono to complete his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Education in 1960. While at the University of Maine he was a member of the Phi Eta Kappa fraternity and the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. After graduating he served for eight years in the Army Reserves, earning the rank of First Lieutenant. After completing Active Reserve Duty at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Devens, Massachusetts Gaylen returned to Easton where he was employed as a manager at the Vahlsing potato processing plant and met his future bride Joan E Clark. They were married June 20, 1964, at the Easton Baptist Church. Together they continued the potato farming tradition while raising their three children over the course of their lives together. Gaylen was a lifelong farmer starting as a child on his father’s land. Early in his career, Gaylen raised and packed fresh potatoes for Bushwick Commission of Long Island, NY. He and his son Brent have been farming together since 1990, selling their potatoes to McCain Foods and various chip companies. Gaylen was recognized as a top grower on several occasions and was recognized in 1985 as McCain Foods Eastern Grand Champion Potato Grower. Gaylen was an active member of his community over his entire lifetime. He was a member of the Easton School Board for over 32 years, serving as chairman for 23 years. He represented the Maine potato industry as a director of the National Potato Council, working on the Environmental Affairs and Long-Range Planning committees, and traveling with Joan to national meetings and potato producing areas across North America. He was on the Maine Potato Board and the Agriculture Bargaining Council where he served terms as president of both boards. He also served as a long-time director and past president of the Northern Maine Fair Association. Gaylen was a firm believer in a good education, and he was extremely proud of the Easton School Department. Not only was he an alumnus and board member, but he put his three children and six of his grandchildren through the system. He is well known for his generous support of scholarship opportunities for Easton students over the years and also was a devoted basketball fan. Gaylen was happiest when surrounded by his immediate family especially when spending time at St Froid Lake and vacationing with the expanding group. His treasured trips to Disney World in Florida began in 1977 and continued to 2016. He was also fond of his several trips to Hawaii with Joan and members of the family. Gaylen was predeceased by his parents, along with a sister-in-law Suzie Flewelling and brothers-in-law Joseph Lockhart and Kenneth Doty. Gaylen is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Joan. He is also survived by his children Julie Sotomayor and husband Mark of Easton, son Brent Flewelling of Easton and Nicole Winslow and husband Frank of Scarborough. His special grandchildren Ian, Drew & Collin Sotomayor, Carson, Kyle & Grace Flewelling, all of Easton as well as Faith, Meredith & Evelyn of Scarborough. He is also survived by his brother Gerald Flewelling, sister Carolyn Dodge and husband Dennis of Hampden, sister-in-law Betty Doty of York, sister-in-law Pauletta Lockhart of Easton and brother-in-law Harold and wife Barbara Clark of Hermon. Services will be held at the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home in Presque Isle. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, June 13, 2021, at 2pm with the memorial services following at 3pm. A private interment will follow at the Shiloh cemetery in Easton at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gaylen’s memory for a college scholarship through the Easton Alumni Association: 505 Houlton Rd, Easton, Maine 04740. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.duncan-graves.com The family would like to extend their gratitude to all who prayed, visited, and assisted with his care.