Ezhamkulam Chacko Samkutty's Obituary
Dr. Ezhamkulam Samkutty was a dedicated English professor, evangelist, novelist, and song lyricist. His life was defined by an unwavering devotion to the gospel of Christ, and he blessed and influenced many people in the South Indian community with his ministry.
He came to the United States in 1970, and he achieved a doctorate degree in English Literature. He served as a college English professor in multiple college institutions, but he retired from Southern University after 28 years of service.
While he loved teaching, his main passion was writing Christian literature and preaching the gospel to the nations. His novel, Palam Thettiya Theevandi (The Derailed Train), was a seminal work of the Keralite Pentecostal literary cannon, reaching hundreds of thousands of readers all across the world. The novel was awarded “Best Novel” at the World Malayalee Convention in 1993. He was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award for Writers by the Christhava Sahithya Academy in 2002.
He was also an avid songwriter, composing albums such as Viduthalin Ganangal, and many of his songs are still sung in churches around the globe. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement honor for songwriting by the North American Church of God Fellowship in 2010.
Dr. Ezhamkulam Samkutty is survived by his loving wife, Pushpa; his son, Ranjith (Deepa), and daughter, Bindu; and his grandchildren, Justus, Jeremiah and Chance.
He was a devoted family man, who loved his wife, kids and grandkids, who often referred to him as “Toys Grandpa”. He was instrumental in bringing many of his immediate and extended family members to the United States, and he was a pioneer for the South Indian community in both Louisiana and throughout the United States.
He will be greatly missed by his family, and his legacy in ministry will live on in the hearts of the people who listened to his songs, sermons, and read his books and articles.
The funeral will be held at Hebron IPC Church, in Houston, TX, at 9:00 am. The burial will take place afterwards at South Park Funeral Home in Pearland, TX.
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