Model Railroading > Kansas City area modellers, and Spotlight Model Trains

Saw the obit today for Tem Johnson, former manager of the long gone Spotlight Model Trains. He was always friendly and helpful, even to a kid like me back in the '70s. His cohort, the crusty ole Art Pennington, was probably just as nice beneath the gruff exterior, but I tended to take my items to Tem for check out, when possible. I loved that store, especially the glass counter in back full of dusty Max Gray O scale engines that hadn't been sold or moved for years. And particularly the hand-built, balsa wood O scale Missouri Pacific E6 A&B units, that some 14 year old kid had built, or so the story goes. I wonder what ever became of them. Rest in Peace, Tem. And Thank You.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=temujin-johnson&pid=185971200&fhid=20461

I can't say for sure that I knew Tem but I do have great memories of Spotlight. It was always a thrill for me to go there with my father when I was a kid and then later when I began to model, it was fun to go with some extra money. It was a glimpse into old time hobby shops for me and I was amazed at the o scale models on display.

Tem was a true gentleman. Always fun to talk with. Art Pennington was also quite a fellow. He did custom painting and I'm proud to have 2 engines that he did. Spotlight was started by and owned by the late Leonard Specht of Kansas City. He was a retired TWA Captain. Tem, I am going to miss you and the fun times I had with various people at Spotlight he introduced me to.

I have known Tem for over 50 years and he was always "fun" to visit with! Until the illness caught up Tem, a bunch of us would meet him (and others) at "Doc's Hobby Shop" in the afternoon. Then we would move to the KC Round Table for a BS session, once a month. Rest in Peace, good friend! wag216 (Art Gibson)