Shelby Leigh Strum

Shelby Leigh Strum of Enumclaw, Washington, left this earth on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025, at Covington Multicare, Covington, Washington with family by his side. He was born on December 6th, 1974, in Decatur, Illinois to Barbara Berry (Strum) Henson and Eugene Harold Strum (deceased). He was raised by his beloved stepfather, Monte Henson and his mother in Mt. Zion, IL. Shelby attended school in Mt. Zion, growing up there with his mother, stepfather, and two brothers, Philip Gray and William Danbury. His sister, Ginger Gray, in Texas. As a teen, Shelby was self-taught playing guitar. It quickly became an obsession and as an adult he set out to master the pedal-steel guitar. Although Shelby never married, he created a daughter, Addison Marie with his partner, Kama Jo Webb. Shelby attended trade school, and subsequently began his 26-year Union Bricklaying career with Neiss Masonry. He often credited Tim for teaching him everything.

In the most recent decade, Shelby and his daughter left Illinois for the Pacific Northwest. Shelby settled in the Seattle Area, while his daughter chose Mt. Hood, Oregon. Shelby thrived in the back-woods environment as a self-proclaimed Cowboy and spent his time outdoors with Kaiser, the family pet. He traveled to the city, daily to work on downtown skyscrapers. And, he continued his passion playing grassroots country on the steel guitar with a successful, talented group, Grit City Band, in large venues in the region.

Shelby's demeanor as a happy, positive and light-hearted gentleman is his legacy. He leaves behind friends from everywhere he has ever been and his family members who loved him dearly. These include: Barbara Henson and her husband, Monte Henson (deceased), his daughter, Addison Marie Strum (significant other, Jon Chetlain), his siblings: Philip Gray of Mt. Zion, IL (son, Krys); William Danbury of Peoria, IL (daughter, Lilli); Ginger Gray of Peoria, IL; his step siblings: Robbie and Lori Henson (children, Dakota, Corey), Terra Rynearson and Bill (children, Matt, Doug, Kelsie), and Marla Pickering (children, Brandi, Cody).

Shelby's last wishes were very specific, gifting his prized possessions to others and at his last request the immediate family will be spreading his remains to join his stepfather. The family thanks the physicians and nurses at Covington for their graciousness and Rory Moore for his kindness throughout.