George Richard Stubbs

Captain George Richard Stubbs, USN (Ret.), died on 20 June 2026 at his daughter’s home in Knoxville, Tennessee, surrounded by family. He was born on 11 May 1936 in Limon, Colorado, and was raised on his father’s ranch in eastern Colorado. After his father’s death, he moved with his mother to Colorado Springs and graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 1954. He received a senatorial appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated with distinction in the Class of 1958. He married Jean Mollohan of Washington, D.C., on 7 June 1958 during USNA June Week.

His first duty was on the destroyer USS Shelton {DD-790) home ported in Long Beach, CA. Selected for and graduating from submarine school, he served the next 27 years of his 30-year Navy career in the submarine force. He qualified in submarines on USS Trout {SS-566), and, following tours in fleet ballistic and attack submarines, commanded the nuclear attack submarine USS Skipjack {SSN-585). Following a tour in the Pentagon, he commanded the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, HI. Senior shore tours include Chief of Staff, Commander Submarines Mediterranean, Naples, IT, and Deputy and Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Technical Training, Naval Air Station, Memphis, TN. His senior personal service awards include the Defense Superior Service, Legion of Merit (2 awards) and Meritorious Service (2 awards). Unit and campaign awards include the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Force and Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service.

Following retirement from the Navy in 1988, he worked at Boston Edison's Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Plant in Plymouth, MA, serving as Maintenance Manager. During his tenure at Boston Edison, he worked with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission writing the Maintenance Rules for civilian nuclear plants. Upon leaving Boston Edison he worked as a consultant in the civilian nuclear power industry.

He developed an interest in archaeology during his Navy tours in Naples, IT, where he spent time investigating Roman ruins. Pursuing a second bachelor's degree in archaeology from Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, NJ, he became an avocational archaeologist. Upon his retirement to Hilton Head Island, he pursued this interest and served several terms as president of the Archaeological Society of South Carolina and its Hilton Head Chapter. He was awarded the Society`s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was an avid tennis player and community service included administrating national and state elections at the precinct level; with the Hilton Head Chapter, Military Officers Association of America serving as its president and then vice president of the South Carolina Council; and ushering the 0800 service at St Luke’s Church for many years.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Jean “Bitsy”, his parents James and Gladys, older brothers James and Arthur. He is survived by: his daughter Debra Sandercock and her family, husband Donald and daughters Jean (Brian) Zapanta and children Ava Jean and Zachary, Catherine (Morgan)Winchell and children Wesley and Cameron, Victoria (Taylor)Winchell and daughter Vivienne, and Charlotte Sandercock; his son James and his daughters Charlotte, Caroline and Catherine Sloan.

Memorial services will be conducted at St. Luke's Church, Hilton Head, SC, 21 July 2026 at 1000 with interment at Beaufort National Cemetery, SC, 21 July 2026 at 1400.

Fair Winds, Captain. We have the watch.