Raymond Mike
Michaels, II
April 17, 1953 - March 9, 2026
Raymond E. “Mike” Michaels II, a cornerstone of the Madison angling and conservation community, passed peacefully away on March 9, 2026, at the age of 72, with his daughter by his side. He leaves a legacy of service, stewardship, and a deep love for the waters of Wisconsin.
Born on April 17, 1953, at the Portsmouth Virginia Naval Hospital to Raymond E. and Mary (Roycraft) Michaels, Mike was raised in Madison, Wisconsin. His parents owned and operated The Stand, a classic 7 11 neighborhood store. The long hours required by his mother to operate the store provided Mike with many unsupervised hours, many of which he used to watch and learn from local fishermen. These early days on the water allowed him to teach himself the art of fishing—a passion that would define his life’s journey.
Mike served his country with great pride, beginning in 1971, with four years of active duty in the U.S. Navy. Stationed at the Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory in Panama City, Florida, he excelled as a Bosun’s Mate, achieving the rank of E-5. For his meritorious service, he was honored with the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award—a rare joint-service distinction
In 1975, Mike returned to Madison, where he served in the Naval Reserves for two years. In 1979, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. There, he served with pride as a Boat Coxswain on a 41-foot search and rescue boat on Lake Michigan, combining his previous Naval leadership skills with a life-saving mission on the Great Lakes.
Mike dedicated 32 years of service to the citizens of Dane County through his work with the Dane County Highway Department. He began his career working construction on the bridge crew, eventually moving into the shop as a mechanic and ultimately serving as the yard foreman. For many, many years, Mike was also a fixture on the winter roads, working tireless hours plowing snow to keep the county highways safe. He retired in 2008 at the age of 55.
In his personal time, Mike was a pillar of the Yahara Fishing Club, where he served with unwavering devotion for many years in different positions. He served as the newsletter writer, a board director, and several years as president. He was also a long-term, highly active leader within Capital City Muskies Inc., where he managed the volunteer efforts that funded local stocking and habitat projects. His leadership extended to helping organize and create the Madison Fishing Expo, now known as the Wisconsin Fishing Expo, where he served as a director for over 20 years.
Mike was a fierce advocate for Madison’s lakes, serving as a dedicated member of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. He was a driving force in the effort to clean up and preserve the Yahara Chain of Lakes, famously leading the successful campaign to designate the shorelines of Lakes Mendota and Monona as official sensitive spawning habitats. By helping to advocate for legally delaying weed spraying, Mike ensured that the environment he loved would remain healthy and vibrant for future generations.
In 1981, Mike began his most important role as a dedicated single father, raising his daughter with the same grit and integrity he brought to all his endeavors. He instilled in his son a lifelong love of ethical fishing and hunting, and he passed on to both of his children a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and a sense of both responsibility and duty to protect and preserve it to the best of our ability.
He was a primary architect of Madison’s Kids Ice Fishing Day and spring clinics at Warner Park, working tirelessly to ensure these events remained free for families. A straight shooter and a mentor to many, Mike ensured that the joy of fishing he discovered as a boy would be available to every child in Madison.
In his final years, as his health began to fail, Mike moved south so his daughter could assist with his care. While he never stopped grieving the loss of his lakes or the camaraderie of his fishing buddies, he found some peace in teaching his daughter to play cribbage on the same board his mother once used to teach him to play on, and then challenging her to daily competitions for over three years. They played their last game on March 6th. He won.
Mike was preceded in death by his mother and father, his first son, who died in infancy, Shane Eugene Michaels, and his sister, Lorraine Susan Michaels.
He is survived and deeply missed by his daughter, Christy Davis (Terry) of Killen, AL, who was famously born on Mike’s 21st birthday; and his son, best fishing buddy, and hunting partner, Jacob Michaels of Portland, OR. His legacy continues through his three grandchildren: Dalton Crowe (Brittany), Houston Crowe, and Megan Richardson (Austin); as well as three great-grandsons in Alabama, Perci, Appollow, and Iso Richardson.
A brother, Jeff Michaels (Peg) of DeForest WI. Two nephews, Logan and Brady Michaels and a niece, Ellie, all of Wisconsin.
Above all, Mike told everyone he could that he was a Christian by faith. He wanted everyone to know the source of his strength and hope. He lived his life with the promise of John 3:16 in his heart: and he would recite it to you if he had the chance. It meant that much to him. So, one last time, in his memory, I would like to share his favorite verse with you.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
A Celebration of Life will be held in Monona sometime in June. Those arrangements are still pending and will be announced at a later date. Following the memorial, Mike’s ashes will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison.
My brother and I would like to take this time to mention and thank the staff at the The Renaissance of Florence as well as the staff at Hometown Manor Assisted Living in Bardstown, KY for treating our father with such dignity, kindness, love and respect. Thank you for looking past his failing health and letting him feel seen and appreciated for the man he who he truly was, and for not treating him as though his limitations defined his identity.
Thank you to all those who loved him like family and made sure he knew it and to those of you who continued to keep in touch with him these last several years, he loved and appreciated each and every one of you very much.
I would also like to thank Williams Funeral Home, of Florence, for your gentleness and compassion as you walked me through this very difficult time, for going above and beyond and and for treating my dad with such great care.
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3 Comments on “Raymond Mike Michaels, II”
My sincerest condolences for your loss. I know Mike has pulled up his chair on the banks of the most beautiful lake in heaven!
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of Raymond Michaels. We are forever thankful for his service to our great country. What an honor it was to take him on his “Trip of a Lifetime”. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
What a beautiful tribute to Mike Michaels; faithful citizen, Dad, veteran. He has surely heard ” “His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
Heartfelt prayers and love, Christy, Jacob, and all his loved ones. The Lord be with you.