During his time in the Navy his daughter Kit was born. When Lee was discharged in 1946 he had the choice of teaching at the University of Louisville or Humboldt State. Having not visited either school, Lee always said he was so happy that he had chosen to live in Humboldt County. During Lee’s early years at Humboldt he organized a community chorus, the Arcata Community Christmas Concert. He and Charles Fulkerson organized the original Lumberjack Marching Band.
In 1966 Lee received his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California. From 1954-1967 he was the chairman of the Division of Fine and Applied Arts at Humboldt. In 1976 Lee organized the California Redwoods Chorale which toured different countries in Europe, 1998 he made his 12th concert tour. In 1982 Lee married Merle Smith who had been his accompanist for his many choral groups. Lee reluctantly retired from HSU in 1983 at the age of 70. Community service included 35 years as president of the Humboldt Community Concert Association, 8 years as president of the Humboldt Arts Council and participation in several Humboldt Light Opera productions.
Throughout his career Lee received numerous service awards and recognition for his contribution to the arts in Humboldt County. He was preceded in death by Kathryn in 1979 and Merle in 2008. Lee is survived by his daughter Kit Brambini (Rob), Eureka; nephew Randy and family from Riverside; stepdaughter Jacquie Cooper (Al), Arcata; stepson Jere Smith, Seattle; and 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
His family would like to thank the wonderful people at Mycroft Assisted Living facility who gave Lee such loving care for the last 3 years of his life. Services will be held at St. Alban’s Church, 1675 Chester Avenue, Arcata (Sunnybrae) at 2:00 p.m. June 22, 2010 with a celebration of life to follow at the Elks lodge in Eureka. Please make donations to the C.L. Barlow Scholarship Fund at Humboldt State University or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of Pierce Mortuary Chapel, Eureka, CA 707-442-375, www.piercemortuarychapels.com. Please sign the online guestbook at The Times-Standard.