Ron was born September 25, 1935, in Big Rapids, Michigan, to Maycle (Hoffman) Malcolm and Thomas Malcolm. He grew up there and graduated from Big Rapids High School. After graduation, he worked in Pennsylvania's oil fields before enlisting in the Air Force.
In 1955, he was stationed in Great Falls, Montana, at Malmstrom AFB, serving in air traffic defense as a “Scope Dope.” There he met Joyce Hess, his wife of 67 years, at an annual church picnic in 1958. They wed a year later, on June 14, 1959, at First United Methodist Church of Great Falls and lived in Great Falls, where their first daughter was born in 1961. In 1966, the couple relocated to Ron’s hometown of Big Rapids and shortly thereafter settled in Grand Rapids. They enjoyed the next six decades as their family grew to include three wonderful daughters.
Ron started a lifelong career in the food market industry in Montana as a stock manager at Buttrey’s. He continued in Michigan, working as a meat cutter at Kroger and retired as a food production lineman from Keebler.
In his younger years, Ron was a well-rounded athlete, which included swimming, lifeguarding, and playing tennis in high school. He grew to enjoy fishing and was an avid hunter. He never passed up a good game of poker. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and was a lifelong fan of the Lions and the Tigers. He also enjoyed visiting Michigan beaches; Holland was a favorite spot.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joyce (Hess) Malcolm; daughters Sheila Domina, Laura (Steven) Gorkowski, and Carol (Adam) Glanville; grandchildren David (Molly) Domina, Breanna Domina, Sarah (Jacob) Seckinger, Matthew (Haidyn, fiancée) Gorkowski, Mason (Nate, partner) Glanville, and Max (Gabi) Glanville; and brother-in-law, Laurence Hess, of Billings, Montana.
He was preceded in death by his parents Maycle and Thomas Malcolm and sister, Cindy Roberts.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, November 1, 2026, and again the following day from 10-11 a.m. Monday, November 2, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East Building), 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, November 2, 2026, at the funeral home. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.
