Lee Barnes

Searove Lee Barnes passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 9, 2026. He was surrounded by loved ones at his daughter’s home in Phoenix, Arizona where he had lived for the past 6 1/2 years. He was 90 years old. Lee was born in Solgohachia, Arkansas. This was a rural area where his father farmed and Lee attended a two-room school. When Lee was in the second grade, the family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico. As a child, Lee worked selling newspapers on the street until he earned his own paper route. While in high school, he worked during summer and holiday breaks in the oilfields on the same crew as his father. A practice he continued through college. Because he desperately wanted to play sports, Lee was allowed to go to the public school, instead of the Catholic school his siblings attended. He participated in basketball, baseball, track, softball, and wrestling before settling on football. Lee played “ironman” football starting on both offense (center) and defense (safety/defensive back). He was team captain, most valuable offensive lineman, and named to the all-state team. Lee was involved in school activities including national honor society, student council, and lettermen’s club. His senior year he was the student body president and homecoming king. Lee broke his neck during the third football game his senior year. Up to that point, he was being recruited by many large schools, including the University of Southern California (USC). Afterward, all interest dried up. Undaunted, Lee wrote letters to every college coach in New Mexico. Only one responded, but it was enough as Lee was able to attend Western New Mexico on a full-ride scholarship. There, he started at center and linebacker playing all downs except kickoffs. He was co-captain his Jr. and Sr. years and called all plays on defense for three seasons. Lee was named most valuable player and made first team all-conference. To this day, Lee’s team owns the best single season record in school history. He was inducted into the Western New Mexico University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. When football was not in season, Lee worked the night shift at the Murry Hotel. During the summers before his junior and senior years, he attended officer training in Quantico, Virginia and served in the Marine Corps reserves for 5 years. In 1959, Lee graduated from Western New Mexico with an education degree majoring in math and physical education. He earned his master’s degree in education administration a few years later. Lee began his career in Willcox, Arizona where he taught math and was the head football coach, taking two teams to the state championship game. When the school found itself without a head track coach, Lee stepped in for one year. That team came in second at state. Lee also served as an assistant coach for the baseball team. In 1969, Lee moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. There he served as the high school’s first football coach and taught math. Even though only one player had ever played organized football, Lee’s team had a 7-0 record that first year. During his coaching tenure, the Fighting Knights won five conference titles, including three straight from 1975-77. Lee’s teams never had a losing season. Lee was instrumental in bringing track and field to Lake Havasu High School and served as the school’s first track coach. He retired from teaching in 1990. Lee believed coaching was much more than teaching young men how to play football. He saw it as an opportunity to teach important life lessons. One of his favorites was: “Just like football, you get out of life what you put into it. You have to work hard, and you must learn to be a team player.” Lee followed his players’ paths after they graduated and was pleased that most had successful and happy lives. In 2007, Lake Havasu High School named the football stadium after him. He was incredibly pleased, but always said the real honor belonged to the kids he coached. Lee was also a businessman. He established a successful janitorial service, owned a restaurant with bar, and built and sold houses. Lee remained active after he retired from teaching, serving on the school board, teaching part-time at Mojave Community College, serving on the Alpine Water Board, volunteering at the Lake Havasu City Museum of History, and serving on the Lake Havasu City Council. He was also a long time member of the American Legion. During the COVID quarantine in 2020, Lee and his son Troy moved in with his daughter Beth in Phoenix. When the quarantine ended, Lee chose to stay with his daughter and her husband where he lived and was loved for the remainder of his life. Lee was multi-talented. He was athletic. He put his math skills to work, becoming excellent at bowling and bumper pool, winning numerous tournaments in both. He played softball and loved to laugh. He dearly loved his family and was incredibly generous to and supportive of those he loved. Though he could display a rough exterior at times, he adored his students and players - always wanting the best for them. Lee was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Annie Barnes, two sons, Brit (Sally) and Troy Barnes, his siter-in-law Maryanne Barnes, and nephew Jimmy Barnes. He is survived by his daughter Beth (Sam) Lesley, brother Jim Barnes, sister Betty (Larry) Himes, two ex-wives Jean Laird the mother of his children and Millie Wooten, three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, three nieces, one nephew, and countless beloved former students, players, and good friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Shugrue’s Bridgeview Room, 1425 N. McCulloch Blvd. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403. Any donations in Lee’s honor can be made to Lake Havasu High School.

Lee Barnes

February 23, 1936 - June 9, 2026