Lee Shannon Barnum, 68, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

Lee was born in Kadoka, South Dakota on November 19, 1953, to Elton Lee and Delores Lee (Winnaham) Barnum. Lee was raised in South Dakota until his family moved to Fargo, ND, and eventually made their permanent home in Grand Forks, ND in 1968.

Lee's passion was music.  He started playing professionally in 1972 in Grand Forks, and then went on the road for 10 years performing in Las Vegas casinos and Nevada showrooms.  He settled in Minneapolis in the mid-1980's, working and playing at various clubs, while attending school at Brown University.  Lee moved to Nashville in 1998, and worked and performed there until 2004, when he returned to Grand Forks to care for his mother.

After returning to Grand Forks, Lee worked at Kenny's Music, teaching guitar to numerous students and repairing guitar amps as a Certified Electronics Technician until the summer of 2021.  Lee was a well-known guitarist in the Grand Forks region. He played as lead guitarist and vocalist in several bands including Kenny & the Classics, PeatMoss and the Spreaders, Town & Country, and Shake, Rattle, and Roll.

Lee was a big supporter of live music. He was a song writer. He liked to go dancing. His hobbies included fishing, building models, and traveling. He enjoyed classic movies and was a big fan of Star Trek.  Lee strongly believed in being of service to others. He had a genuine heart for God and lived every day in a spirit of gratitude; he was a grateful, long-term member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Lee met Patrice Blair in the summer of 2015 and they had been inseparable ever since.  Lee enjoyed being a big part of holiday traditions and was applauded often for his ability to grill a turkey to perfection, in all kinds of weather.  Lee loved spending time with Patti's grandchildren, Marissa, Molly, Lucy, and Mason, as he had inherited his mother's unique ability to connect with children of all ages.

Lee will be forever loved and missed by his beloved partner, Patti Blair and her children and grandchildren: Lori Grundstrom, Marissa, and Molly of Drayton, ND; Michael and Kailey Potratz of Fargo, ND; and Greg and Lindsey Lahlum, Lucy, and Mason of Lamoure, ND.

Lee is survived by his brother: Steven Lee Barnum of Grand Forks, ND; and sisters: Merrilee (Joe) Bernhardt of Cheshire, CT; Laura Lee Cornelius of Florence, AL; several nieces and nephews; and spiritual brother, Kenny Holweger (Cindy).

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Delores Barnum and his sister, Arlene Lee Barnum.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity in Lee's name and remember to go out and support live music.

Funeral Service: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2022, in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service in the funeral home on Tuesday.
Burial: Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.