Remembering Uncle Thomas Malcolm Ranjore : 1940- 2025

It was with great sadness that I received the news of Uncle Thomas Malcolm Ranjore’s passing on the 20th of June, at the age of 84. 

Though our hearts grieve, we do not mourn as those without hope. As Psalm 116:15 reminds us: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.”

Uncle Malcolm (as he was fondly called) was truly one of God’s faithful servants, a man whose life was marked by worship, prayer, evangelism, generosity, and love for both God and people.

I remember not just someone who lived long, but someone who lived well, for the glory of God.

A man of worship

One thing that stands out in his life is that Uncle Malcolm was a gifted musician. He played the violin not as a performer, but as a worshipper. When he played, it was as if heaven drew near. His music ushered in the presence of God, just like the Levites in the Old Testament, who ministered before the Lord with stringed instruments.

1 Chronicles 25:6 tells us: “All these were under the direction… for the music in the house of the Lord.”

That was Uncle Malcolm, faithful in worship, skilful in music, and deeply reverent in spirit. He never played for recognition or applause, but as an act of devotion and worship to the One he loved most. Worship, for him, was sacred. He would often become visibly grieved when it was treated casually or done without care.

“Anything offered to God,” he would say, “must be our very best.”

And that’s exactly what he gave, his very best, always.

A bold evangelist

He was also a man of fervent evangelism. Every cab ride became an opportunity to preach the gospel. He would often recount how he shared Christ with taxi drivers—sometimes even bringing them to church for prayer, in the very cab they rode in!

He lived out Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

To Uncle Malcolm, evangelism was never a program or event, it was a way of life. Sharing Christ was as natural to him as breathing. Whether in a taxi, at the market, or during casual conversations, he saw every encounter as an opportunity to point someone to Jesus.

But he didn’t keep that passion to himself. He constantly encouraged the younger generation to do the same—to be bold in their witness, faithful in service, and unwavering in obedience to God’s Word. He often reminded them, “Don’t waste your life—live for the gospel.”

That became his rallying cry: There is nothing in this world greater than living for the gospel.

Uncle Malcolm not only proclaimed that truth, he embodied it.

A man of prayer

One of the most beautiful aspects of his life was his prayer life. He would often share how the Holy Spirit woke him at 4 a.m. to pray. Those early hours were not a burden to him—they were a joy. He loved being in God’s presence. He even asked for the church keys so he could come in the early hours to seek the Lord.

Psalm 63:1 says: “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You… My soul thirsts for You.”

He would often encourage us to do the same, gently urging, “This is the key to a victorious life—seek God early.” To him, the first hours of the day belonged to the Lord. He believed that beginning the day in God’s presence set the tone for everything else.

“Those who seek Him early will find Him,” he would say, echoing Proverbs 8:17.

This was his everyday practice. In those quiet, sacred hours, Uncle Malcolm found strength, clarity, and joy. Prayer wasn’t just a habit for him—it was his lifeline.

Uncle Malcolm truly loved the house of God. Like David, he could wholeheartedly declare, “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1). Even in his final days, when his body grew weak and he was unwell, his desire to be in church never faded. He longed to be among God’s people, in God’s presence, worshipping with the congregation.

He understood what the psalmist meant when he said, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

The house of God was his delight, and the presence of God was his joy.

A heart for missions

Though he didn’t travel far, Uncle Malcolm carried nations in his heart. Missions was not a distant idea to him—it was a deep, personal burden. He would often encourage me in the work of missions, reminding me with quiet conviction, “I’m always praying for you.” And he truly meant it, quietly, consistently, faithfully. He would even ask for our detailed itinerary, so he could pray through each leg of the journey, lifting us up day by day before the Lord. That was the kind of intercessor he was, present in spirit, even when he could not be there in person.

Whenever we returned with stories from the mission field, he would listen intently, his eyes filled with wonder and joy. And then, he would lift his hands and praise God with all his heart, rejoicing in what the Lord was doing around the world through ordinary people yielded to His call.

Together with his dear wife, they gave generously to God’s work, even in their older age, when they themselves had needs. They believed that giving to the Lord was an honour.

Their lives reflected 2 Corinthians 8:2–3: “In the midst of a very severe trial… their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”

A Loving Family Man

Uncle Malcolm deeply loved his wife, Aunty Sheela. He would often speak of her with affection and admiration. Whether in conversation or casual reflection, his words about her were always filled with gratitude and joy. He especially loved her cooking. With a smile and without hesitation, he would often say,

“She is the best cook.”

But it was more than just the meals—it was the warmth, care, and partnership they shared that he treasured most. Their love was quiet yet steady, strong yet gentle—a beautiful example of a godly marriage lived out in faithfulness and mutual honour.

He also deeply loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He spoke of them with such warmth and joy. His eyes would light up whenever he mentioned them, his family was his pride and delight. In our conversations, he would often recount how he listened to the sermons preached by his sons, and how his heart rejoiced knowing that his generations were serving the Lord. It brought him deep satisfaction to see the legacy of faith continuing in his family—a legacy not built on material success, but on spiritual inheritance.

As Proverbs 20:7 says: “The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.”

Uncle Malcolm walked faithfully—and his family is blessed because of it.

Proverbs 13:22 says: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

He left behind a legacy of love, prayer, and faith that will outlive him for generations to come.

Faithful to the end

Even in the hospital, when he was physically weak and unwell, Uncle Malcolm never complained. Instead, with a gentle smile, he would say, “God is good.” He echoed the faith-filled words of Job: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

Right to the very end, Uncle Malcolm remained a man of deep, unwavering faith. Even from his sickbed, spending time with him was an encouragement. He would still speak affectionately about the “good Lord” he loved, trusted, and walked with all his life.

His legacy lives on

Uncle Malcolm lived out 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Now, he has entered into the joy of his Master. “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” —Matthew 25:21

He is absent from the body, but present with the Lord.

Final thoughts

I have had the privilege of sharing many conversations with Uncle Malcolm, whether in church, in the hospital, or during our personal outings together. In those moments, he would quietly, yet sincerely, say to me,

He would often say to me, “You are like a son to me. You are doing wonderful work for the Lord. Serve the Lord faithfully. Don’t worry about what people say. Just be faithful to God, and He will see you through. I am always praying for you and your family.”

I hold these words close to my heart, knowing that the prayers of faithful saints like Uncle Malcolm are powerful and never go unheard. In moments of discouragement, God uses these words to lift my spirit. It is a great comfort to know that there are godly people out there, faithfully lifting me and my wife up in prayer every day. That's all we need.

He was more than family; he was my personal encourager—offering wisdom, comfort, and unwavering support whenever I needed it most. After every sermon or message, he would always come up to me with a smile and say how deeply the Word had blessed him. His heart was always open to receive God’s truth, and he never missed an opportunity to affirm and encourage others in their walk with the Lord.

Uncle Malcolm’s life reminds us that greatness is not in fame, but in faithfulness. Not in how much we gather, but in how much we give. Not in loudness, but in the quiet strength of a life surrendered to God.

He lived for an audience of One. And now, he stands in that glorious Presence he so longed for.

We will miss him deeply. But we thank God for his life, his prayers, his music, and his example. This separation is only temporary. We will soon meet at the feet of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Until we meet again.