Rear Admiral Everette Don Stumbaugh B.S.B.A '59, LL.B. '66, a highly decorated retired judge advocate general of the U.S. Navy, died Feb. 27, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, at age 87. He was a resident of the Glenaire Care Retirement Community in Cary, North Carolina.

As the Navy's 32nd judge advocate general, Stumbaugh was the highest-ranking uniformed lawyer in the Department of the Navy, responsible for serving as principal adviser to the Secretary of the Navy and chief of Naval Operations on legal matters pertaining to the Navy from 1988 until his retirement in 1990. His principal roles were to serve as a staff assistant in the Office of the Secretary, to command the Office of the Judge Advocate General and to serve as chief of the Judge Advocate General Corps. He also worked in close partnership with the general counsel, the senior civilian lawyer in the Department of the Navy. 

He was described as both a brilliant lawyer and a true gentleman, with a particular specialty in international law. This expertise was particularly valuable during his time at the senior levels of the JAG Corps, which coincided with tumultuous international developments, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

In announcing Stumbaugh's death, retired Rear Admiral Samuel J. Cox said, "He filled these challenging and expansive roles with extraordinary professionalism and dedication during a very challenging time. With the sacrifice and support of his family, for which the Navy owes a debt of gratitude, he served our Navy and nation with great distinction."

Stumbaugh was born and raised in Clarksville, Arkansas, the son of Everette D. and Lona Dickerson Stumbaugh. President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity his senior year at the U of A, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the U of A in 1959 and a Bachelor of Laws from the U of A School of Law in 1966.

While attending college, he enlisted as a seaman recruit in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1955. After completing his bachelor's degree, Stumbaugh was commissioned and reported to the Fleet Training Center in San Diego. Later he spent time at the Naval Communication Facility in the Philippines, where he was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade). In January 1962, Stumbaugh reported to headquarters for the 11th Naval District in San Diego and was promoted to lieutenant the following year.

In September 1963, Stumbaugh returned to his home state where he was assigned to the Naval Reserve Electronics Facility in Fayetteville as a communications/electronics officer for the Naval Reserve Electronics Division 8-8. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in October 1967 while also practicing law in Fayetteville.

Stumbaugh left Arkansas in December 1969 to report to the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. The following March, he was assigned to the staff of Chief of Naval Air Technical Training as trial counsel/administrative assistant to the director of the Law Center with additional duty as judge advocate for the Naval Air Station in Memphis, Tennessee. In August 1970, he was augmented into the U.S. Navy and promoted to commander the next month.

Two years later, Stumbaugh was assigned to the headquarters of the Naval District in Washington, D.C., while earning a Master of Laws in public international and comparative law, with highest honors, from The George Washington University Law Center. In August 1973, he was assigned to the Office of the Judge Advocate General in the nation's capital as a lieutenant detailer/international law attorney. In July 1976, he reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as an assistant head of the Ocean Affairs Branch and a legal adviser to the deputy chief Naval office for plans, policy and operations.

Stumbaugh assumed duty as commanding officer of the Naval Legal Service Office in Yokosuka, Japan, in June 1980, where soon he was promoted to captain. In August 1984, he assumed duty as staff judge advocate for the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Command. In September 1986, he was assigned as special assistant to the judge advocate general. He was promoted to rear admiral in July 1987 and assumed duty as deputy judge advocate general of the Navy before rising to judge advocate general the next year. After retirement from the Navy, he served as executive director of the American Inns of Court Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia.

Stumbaugh's many accolades include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and four Overseas Service Ribbons.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Susan Crosser Stumbaugh; one daughter; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Stumbaugh will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.