Michael Winston Raymond

Rear Admiral Michael Winston (Joe) Raymond, U.S. Coast Guard, passed away at the age of 56 on July 19, 2025, in Falls Church, Virginia, after a 2-year battle with brain cancer. He was a much loved son, husband and father.

Joe was born on June 2, 1969, at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Lieutenant Colonel John W. Raymond, Sr., U.S. Air Force (Ret.), and Grace McNamara Raymond, the third of their four children. As an Air Force dependent, Joe moved frequently during his childhood, before his father retired and his family settled in Williamsburg, Virginia. Joe graduated from Lafayette High School in 1987.

Joe attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, graduating with honors in 1991. He served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard for 34 years before passing away on active duty as a Rear Admiral (Upper Half).

Joe met the love of his life, Kristi Lynn Stephenson, in 1998 and they were married on April 8, 2000, at Duke Chapel in Durham, North Carolina. They quickly adjusted to Coast Guard life and built a loving family. Over 25 years, they moved nine times and raised three children, JT, Anna, and Abbie.

The early portions of Joe’s Coast Guard commissioned service were primarily served at sea on four Coast Guard cutters, including command of the Coast Guard cutter SAPELO in Key West, Florida, and Coast Guard cutter SHAMAL in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He later served as the Commanding Officer of the Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay in St. Marys, Georgia, and as the Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for Sector Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington.

In addition to his operational assignments, Joe had extensive experience in legislative affairs with assignments as a Congressional Fellow on Senator John McCain’s staff for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Coast Guard Liaison to the U.S. Senate; the Deputy Chief of Congressional and Governmental Affairs, and ultimately Chief of Coast Guard Congressional and Governmental Affairs.

Joe also served as the Coast Guard Military Assistant to the Director of Net Assessment, within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, working directly for Mr. Andrew Marshall. From 2017-2019, he served as the Executive Assistant to the 30th and 31st Vice Commandants of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Joe was selected for Flag Officer in 2020 and went on to serve as the Commander of the Coast Guard’s Force Readiness Command in Norfolk, Virginia, where he was responsible for training and education throughout the Coast Guard. He then served as the Assistant Commandant for Military Personnel at Coast Guard Headquarters, where he was responsible for all aspects of military personnel management, including recruitment, assignments, workforce policies, pay and benefits.

Joe earned a masters degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University and graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College, College of Naval Command and Staff. His military awards included the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, four Legions of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, as well as various unit and campaign awards.

Joe was truly happiest when he was with his family. He enjoyed traveling, playing games with his children, and attending any kind of family gathering.

Joe was preceded in death by his father and eldest brother, Jack. He is survived by his wife, Kristi, his son, JT, his daughters, Anna and Abbie, his mother, Grace, and his brothers, Rick (Laura) and Dan (Jess).

Joe will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.