Raymond R. Couture, of Reading, passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023.
He was a native of Sanford, Maine, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Maine and a Law degree from the New England School of Law.
RADM Couture served as a Signalman aboard USS G. A. JOHNSON (DE-583) during World War II. He returned to active duty during the Korean Conflict and served aboard the USS LAKE COUNTY (LST-880). Having been selected to attend Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned in July 1952. He was selected for Rear Admiral in September 1980.
In his Naval Reserve career, RADM Couture served as a Commander, Military Sealift Command, Europe (MOB); Commanding Officer, Naval Sea Systems Command, Detachment 901; Naval Reserve Officers School 1-1; Naval Reserve Surface Division 1-1, Group Commander 1-10; Group Commander 1-1; Inspector General, Readiness Command Region ONE; and as Commander, Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region ONE. Additional Selected Reserve duty included tours at the National War College; Naval War College; Bureau of Naval Personnel; Chief of Naval Education and Training; Assistant Inspector General, Naval Sea Systems Command; Military Sealift Command; and aboard USS JOHNNIE HUTCHINS (DE-360); USS PCER 856; USS NORTHAMPTON (CLC-1) USS BIGELOW (DD-942); USS BARTON (DD-772); USS LEXINGTON (CVS-16); and USS TURNER (DD-834).
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Unit Commendation, China Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with one battle star, and the Philippine Presidential Citation.
In civilian life, RADM Couture maintained a general law practice in Reading, MA. He was a member of the Federal, Middlesex County, and Massachusetts Bar Association. A line officer, he was also certified by the Judge Advocate General of the Navy.
RADM Couture served as a Chairman of the Recruiting District Assistance Council, Boston, from 1975 to 1981. He was awarded the Navy Recruiting Gold Wreath with a star representing a second award. He is a National Vice President, Director, life member, and past Massachusetts State President of the Navy League of the United States. He was a past President of the Massachusetts Bay Council of the Navy League and served at national and regional levels of the Naval Reserve Association. RADM Couture was the National President and Director of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and a trustee of the USS CONSTITUTION Museum Foundation. He is a life member of the Surface Navy Association. Sea Cadets recently named the Outstanding Sea Cadet of the year award after him.
RADM Couture has served as a Reading Town Meeting Member; Chairman, Reading Health Advisory Committee; President Rotary Club of Reading, and President of Eastern Middlesex YMCA.
RADM Couture was predeceased by his wife, June, in 2018. He is survived by his daughters, Christine Nelson and Karen Couture, and his son-in-law, David Lawson
A Funeral Service Celebrating RADM Couture’s Eternal Life will be held in the Doherty Barile Family Funeral Home on Saturday, November 4th, 2023, at 11 am.
Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Parking attendants and elevator available.
In lieu of flowers, donations in RADM Couture’s memory may be made to the Naval Sea Cadets Units sponsored by the Massachusetts Bay Council, NLUS P.O. Box 51662, Boston MA 02205.
