Papa retired in 1976 at the age of 62, and his final salary of $6.39 per hour resulted in a pension of about $500 per month from the Vallejo School District. As was the case with his Union work back in the early 50's, Papa had taken on more and more responsibility in the School, and the negative effects of the added stress was more than he wanted to tolerate. His subsequent time after retirement was spent working around the house, doing some fishing, and generally trying to relax.

In 1979 Nana had the opportunity to own a Hair Salon business, and despite Papa having been already retired for 3 years she decided to start this new venture with her colleague Alma Dourty; this continued for only 5 years, until the Fall of 1984, when Nana suffered a mild stroke at the age of 66 which prevented her from continuing the business. The stroke occurred the day after Nana had had gall bladder surgery (they were both were convinced of a relationship between the two).

In the meantime, Papa started to work more on his own, for friends and acquaintances, doing odd carpentry jobs, installing new aluminum window replacements, and generally spending as much time as possible either in his shop downstairs or in the garden. This carpentry work lasted until around 1982, when Papa fully retired at the age of 68. The cash which he earned during these 6 years of work would carry him for the next 20 years (he never deposited any of the cash into his bank; it was stored in different places around the house).

In August 1982 Nana's father passed away, after having lived more than 40 years in Vallejo. While it was a sad moment for Nana, her father had been suffering from emphysema for some time, and so his passing was seen as a blessing of sorts.

In 1986, Nana and Papa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Napa with their family. This was only 2 years after Nana had suffered the mild stroke, but her condition was progressing nicely. Papa was 72 years old, Nana was 68.

In August 1995 Papa had the chance to visit Kim, Colorado again. Kim High School was having a reunion, and Papa was able to visit for the first time in many years with family and old friends. He spent a few days with JY at the ranch, and a few more days with his sister Frances in Springfield. Although Nana was unable to make the trip, it was wonderful for Papa to be back home again.

Nana's mother passed away in October 2000, at the ripe old age of 100. After a fall had prevented her from continuing to live alone, she spent her last 3 years at a wonderful Board and Care home in Vallejo, Madigan Ranch.

Nana's condition continued to deteriorate after 2000. After Papa had been completely caring for her by himself in their house, the family decided to move Nana into Madigan Ranch on Dec 1 2002, so that Papa would not work (and worry) himself to death over Nana. However, after 46 years together in their house, it seemed it was too big and too lonely for Papa to live there alone. While he didn't need the care that Madigan Ranch provided, he moved into Madigan on August 2, 2003, to be with Nana again. They would live there together for the next 9 months.

During this time, Nana's deteriorating condition (exacerbated by inappropriate medication and diagnoses) was somewhat of an annoyance to Papa; he had trouble tolerating her rambling monologues. Nana herself was quite happy and positive, as usual. In June of 2004 Nana and Papa moved to Conifer, Colorado, to live with their granddaughter Arlene and her family.

Arlene was slowly getting Nana's health to improve, while David was responsible for keeping Papa out of trouble and as optimistic as he could possibly be. On November 18th Nana had a fall, and on November 21st she was readmitted to the hospital where she later slipped into a coma and was put onto Hospice. On December 4th 2004 at about 5am, after having been visited a number of times (although she was in a coma most of the time) by Papa and her son who had come to visit from California, Flossy Ethel Droke passed away. She was 86 years old.

Papa was moved into an Assisted Living Community in Evergreen, Colorado, near Arlene, in January of 2005. With Nana gone, although he was living in the State of his youth, Papa longed to return to Vallejo. On August 1 2005 Papa moved into Merrill Gardens Retirement Home, just down the street from the house he had built on North Camino Alto, in Vallejo.

For the most part, Papa's time at Merrill were good. He never had any complaints about the people or food, and for a short while he was able to go on long rides in his scooter to favorite spots around Vallejo. In all, he seemed as happy as can be expected to be back in Vallejo.

In June of 2006, Papa suffered a mild heart attack. After a week in the hospital, he returned to Merrill Gardens weak and exhausted. 2 weeks after returning to Merrill Gardens, just as his strength (and humor) were returning, Papa passed away peacefully. On the morning of July 2, 2006, nearing the age of 92, Robert Lee Johnson Jr took his last breath while enjoying breakfast in bed.