John A. Stone

CDR John A. Stone, 79, passed away unexpectedly on August 25, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 3, 1947, in Marshalltown, Iowa to the late Milton Long Stone and Clarice Esther (Tribby) Stone.

John lived a life defined by devotion to his family, distinguished military service, and a dedicated career in the nuclear power industry. He graduated Marshalltown High School in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Navy in March 1968. He trained as an Electrician’s Mate and entered the Navy’s nuclear power program. John spent the first nine years of his Navy career as an enlisted sailor, steadily advancing through the ranks to Chief Petty Officer. In 1976, he was selected for the Navy’s Limited Duty Officer program and was commissioned as an Ensign in April 1977. From those enlisted beginnings, John would ultimately rise to the rank of Commander, an accomplishment that reflected both his technical expertise, his leadership ability, and his dedication to military service.

Through his 27 years of service, his sea and shore assignments spanned the Navy’s submarine and submarine-support communities. He served tours aboard USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN-619), Los Alamos (AFDB-7), and served as Executive Officer of Shippingport (ARDM-4). He later served aboard USS Fulton (AS-11) as Production Officer before reaching one of the defining milestones of his career—serving as Commanding Officer of Waterford (ARD-5).

His shore duty tours included the Naval Submarine Support Facility in New London, Connecticut, where he served as Planning Officer and Production Officer; Submarine Squadron Fourteen in Holy Loch, Scotland, where he served as Extended Refit Coordinator; and Naval Military Personnel Command in Washington, D.C., where he served as Head of the Submarine CWO/LDO Assignment Branch. John concluded his distinguished career serving as Executive Officer of U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, retiring in 1995.

John’s military career brought numerous honors. In addition to Submarine Enlisted Silver Dolphins, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, and Navy Achievement Medal. He was also awarded the Naval Submarine League Levering Smith Award for submarine support achievement in 1987 and the Frederick B. Warder Award for outstanding achievement in 1992.

Following his retirement from the Navy, John continued in the nuclear power field, spending another 11 years working in civilian nuclear power for Exelon. His civilian career drew upon the technical knowledge, discipline, and leadership developed during his decades in the Navy.

For all that John accomplished professionally, family remained at the center of his life. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sara (Tow), with whom he would have celebrated 57 years of marriage this November. Sara was beside him through six decades of life together—from the early years of his Navy career and the many assignments and moves that followed, through his civilian career, and the years they shared afterward.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Hulbert and her husband, Ken; their children, Ryan and Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s husband, Anthony Hoopingarner; and his son, John and his wife, Lori; and their children, Gavin and Olivia. He will be deeply missed by his family, who will forever cherish the love, memories, and time they shared with him.

John leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service, leadership, perseverance, faith, friendship and devotion to family. He will be remembered by many as a man who could fix anything, solve any problem, and lift any spirit. His remarkable knowledge, steady presence, and enduring friendship will be carried in the hearts of many for years to come. Yet beyond the uniform and his many accomplishments, his greatest legacy is the family he and Sara built during their nearly 57 years of marriage and the generations that follow them.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, friends, shipmates, and all whose lives he touched.

Services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Pennsylvania at King of Prussia.