Robert E. 'Ninja Bob' Johnson, 86

Robert E. “Ninja Bob” Johnson, 86, passed away peacefully on his own terms on Feb. 27, 2021, with family by his side. Born Jan. 25, 1935, near Chipley, Fla., Bob lived his early life in a sharecroppers’ house with no indoor plumbing. Picture a lanky, barefoot kid in high water pants, riding the family mule to the one room schoolhouse — that is the portrait of a young Bob Johnson.

Bob lost his father at a young age and joined the Navy at 17. During this time, a senior officer told him “Johnson, you’ve got a brain, now use it!”

He realized he could be more than “just an average Joe” and worked very hard to become the “best radarman in the fleet.” He was proud of his ship’s role in establishing the DEW line, and after his term of service, he received his GED and gravitated toward San Diego.

He was working at a local gas station when an attractive, young Joan Bryden stopped by to have a car problem checked out. Bob was smitten from the start and told his boss, “I’m going to marry her someday.”

After a two-year courtship and receiving the necessary paternal approval, Bob and Joan were married on April 1, 1961, at the Mission Hills Congregational Church in San Diego. They made their home in San Diego and the family grew to include sons Keven and Verlon “Chap,” and daughter, Erin.

Life took the Johnson family to Florida, then back to Escondido, Calif. During this time, Bob owned a NAPA auto parts store in Lakeside, Calif., which he ran with his sons, Keven and Chap. Bob became a proficient investor in real estate and the stock market.

After a lengthy stay in Escondido, Bob and Joan moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1999, to be near their daughter, Erin, and grandsons, Ryan and Travis. As expected, Bob and Joan’s world revolved around their grandsons, who referred to Bob as “Boboo” and Joan as “Ammy” - their given names from that point forward.

Bob and Joan were married for 47 years. After Joan’s early passing in 2008, Bob moved into, in his words, a “cool barn apartment” a stone’s throw from his daughter, Erin, son-in-law, John, and both grandsons. During the ensuing years, the family enjoyed evenings around the firepit and Sunday and holiday dinners together. Bob turned his love of Texas Hold-em’ into a full-time hobby, quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. He thoroughly enjoyed playing at the Black Pearl, where a dealer gave him the nickname “Ninja Bob” and where he was recognized by his peers as one of the best players around.

We are especially thankful to the folks at the Black Pearl for their friendship and support of Ninja Bob. He said he wanted to be remembered by his family as a dad that always tried to do his best, and by others as a nice, old guy that made the last table but isn’t going to make it much further.

He is survived by his sons, Keven Johnson and Verlon “Chap” Johnson, both of Coeur d’Alene; daughter and son-in-law, Erin and John Swallow, and grandsons, Ryan and Travis Swallow, of Coeur d’Alene. Bob is also survived by four brothers - Harlon, Waylon, Verlon and Dwayne.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Bob’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Hospice of North Idaho, who deserve special thanks for the support and caring - for both Bob and Joan. Simply put, the folks at Hospice of North Idaho are beyond comparison!