James R. Spohn

1949 - 2013

BORN

1949

DIED

2013

James Spohn Obituary

James R. Spohn 1949-2013 Jim Spohn passed away November 7, 2013, after a lengthy illness.He was preceded in death by his parents Patricia and William Spohn,and is survived by his wife Lucy, sons Kristofer Draeger and Rocky Moran,his brothers Bill Spohn and Richard Spohn, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Jim had moved to Bakersfield from Napa, California in1953; about that time, his life-long love of pipe-organs began. During family fishing and rock-hunting trips to various gold-country areas, Jim would be in old churches, learning about their pipe-organs. By his high school graduation, Jim had a scholarship tothe Pasadena Playhouse, but also a summer job of disassembling and hauling off San Francisco's Fox Theater's player pipe-organ, and player rolls signed by their composers, including Rachmaninoff.For 27 years, Jim worked as an electrical engineer, designing the controls for windmills at some of Tehachapi's wind-farms. During that time, Jim was also repairing and main-taining the pipe-organs that had been used in several classic radio shows, and performing The Phantom of the Opera on Catalina Island's antique pipe-organ each October.As the pipe-organ collection continued, Jim and his wife Lucy eventually bought and restored east Bakersfield's historic Granada Theater, with the movie billboard outside proclaiming,"I Love Lucy." The theater provided storage for tons of pipe organ equip-ment, with occasional shows, including silent films, accompanied by Jim's pipe-organ music, with all of its bells and whistles. Jim is already greatly missed by his friends, family and the theatre-organ community. No visitation or services are planned at this time.

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Published by Bakersfield Californian from Nov. 15 to Nov. 17, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for James Spohn

13 Entries

Jennie

November 9, 2023

You are missed

Leonard Foard

November 9, 2023

Jim, I really miss you! We had some super times, working together at A1-Space Age Alarm company. Together we had a lot of breakfasts and would talk and draw on napkins circuits of IC chips. Jum asked me to help with the wireing of the first pipe organ in a building on Sumner street. We actually stay awake for 3 days to get it done. Before Jims' parents past away Jim took me to meet them. They had a piano in the house and I hadn't told Jim I could play the piano, so when he heard me playing he was shocked, so he had me play for him on the pipe organ when it was all done. I also helped him complete some of the wiring when he purchased the Granada Theatre. Got to play that very complete large pipe organ. I was trained in the US NAVY to run the carbon arc projector. Thus when he got the theater he allowed me to run his projector a couple of times. Jim was so smart and educated in electronics as well as the understanding and maintenance of pipe organs. He was alike a brother to me.

Leonard Foard

November 9, 2022

Jim and I worked together for years as burglar alarm technicians. Together we spent weekends splicing in thousands of wires on the pipe organ in the theater.
He taught me almost every morning at Bob Mears A1 Space Age Alarm company, how to identify and use new Integrated Circuit chips.
Sure do miss him and with my faith in God, we will meet again!

Jennie

November 9, 2020

Miss you jim

Leonard Foard

November 9, 2020

We spent many wonderful times together both while working together and when playing or working on the pipe organs. Really miss him as he was a brother to me.
He actually got real excited the first time he found out I could actually play the piano. He even was able to hypnotize me once and made me feel like I had the best sleep ever!

Leonard Foard

December 12, 2013

I am glad that Jim and I were super friends and we worked together years ago at A-1 Space Age Alarm Company. I last visited him in October of this year and will miss him. The two of us at one time even played piano together.
My condolences to all his friends and family.

Michael Kammer

November 21, 2013

I remember laughing, working and talking with James when I had my computer store in Bakersfield. His loss leaves a large hole in my heart.

Willliam Gallegos

November 20, 2013

I am very sad to hear this... a couple of years back I met James outside the Granada as he was getting out of his truck. We made small talk about his building and about Bakersfield history. Before we knew it and to our surprise he invited us into the Granada... We had no idea the one the treat we were about to experience. He gave us a personal tour and behind the scenes to the operation in silent movies. One thing is to see this and another is to see him get behind the organ and like magic he made curtains open and the sound of Pipe Organ play was magical.... Mr. Sphon you will be missed and Bakersfield has lost a true talent and great person... My condolences to the Sphon Family

November 17, 2013

Jim was my best friend and I miss him every day. jennie

November 16, 2013

Our heart goes out to the family, he was a great man and could do any thing he put his mind to do he left to early, Pat, Sandy Becky Teresa, Curt, Bridgett, J.J Jimmy Patricia

Gary Fultz

November 15, 2013

I first met Jim when we served in the Army National Guard, during the early 70's. We had been assigned jobs that required us work together, and we became friends. His quick wits and dry humor always made for 'interesting' conversations and I discovered his intelligence hidden behind all the joking around. He was very generous with his time, and helped me many times with electrical problems at my business. Spent many hours at his various shops and studios, where he was assembling his prized organ. He used to enjoy playing the organ loudly, which would 'wake up all the winos in the neighborhood'. We lost touch when he took the job in Tehachapi, but he would call me every year or so, and we might fit in a lunch. My wife and I attended several of his special Granda concerts, and always enjoyed them --- he was so proud of his assembled organ. He called me earlier this year to tell about his medical issues, we talked about getting together for lunch, again . . But it never happened; I was busy closing down my business to retire and move from Bakersfield. Lucy, I am very sorry for your loss ---- we will miss Jim's smile and unusual sense of humor. My thoughts are with you and all his family and friends.

Beaux Mingus

November 15, 2013

I only knew James for a short while, but he was one of the most interesting and amazing people I have ever met. I'll miss you my friend.

Ron Costner

November 15, 2013

Jim was a next door neighbor from the time we were both 5 years old. We attended Castro Lane, Curran Jr. High, BHS and West high Schools together. He was one of the most talented people I have ever met. He could figure out how anything worked and repair it.
May he rest in peace and my sympathy goes out to his family.

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