Donald Terry Landis

Donald Terry Landis

1946 – 2023

Donald Landis PT, CLT, LANA, 76, of Edmond, passed away peacefully at his home on July 12, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children.

Don was born to James and Lee Landis on August 25, 1946, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He grew up in OKC and graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1965. He attended college at The University of Oklahoma. While the card game, Bridge is not exactly a ‘major-worthy’ investment of time, Don did find Bridge way more exciting than his courses, initially. He eventually became inspired and invested in the path which would become the foundation of his life’s work. He ultimately majored in Physical Therapy and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1973.

In 1973, Don began his career as a staff Physical Therapist and assistant director of the PT department at St. Anthony’s Hospital in downtown OKC. It wasn’t long before he realized he wanted to do things his way—without the constraints of a large organization.

In 1978, he enthusiastically went into private practice and established his clinic, Oklahoma City Physical Therapy Associates. Don provided traditional PT treatments and rehabilitation, but always with a rare calmness and gentleness that would ease the anxious minds of his patients. He spent many years working with amputee patients in coordination with Sabolich prosthetics, facilitating the processes through fittings, treatments, gait training, and confidence. He spent a fair amount of time traveling to provide home PT visits to those in rural areas. Don was always reading, learning, and expanding his knowledge and his practice.

In 1994, Don received his Lymphedema Therapist Certification through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies. Don would go on to specialize and build his legacy around lymphedema for the next 20 years. He had expert knowledge in primary and secondary lymphedema care through all stages and served as a member of the Lymphology Association of North America. Don was always excited to share his extensive knowledge of lymphedema. He served as a guest lecturer for the Medical Advisor for Academy of Lymphatic Studies, as well as an assistant professor of Physical Therapy at the Allied Health Practice Center at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Don dramatically improved the lives of his lymphedema patients many of which were suffering from or recovering from cancer or cancer-related illnesses.

In 1998, he left private practice to become the manager of Clinical Operations at Nova Care & Select Medical Outpatient Rehab, and the coordinator of clinical training & education at Pinnacle Healthcare.

Don passionately dedicated his life to his craft and career as a Physical Therapist. He continued to treat lymphedema patients until he officially retired in late 2017. Don loved making people feel better, taking their pain away—this is what filled and uplifted his soul. He treated his patients as if every single one of them were part of his family and they adored him. Don always performed with kindness, compassion, and professionalism through every gentle touch from his healing hands.

Don and Kay married on August 16, 1968. The two officially met in college, although they had both attended and graduated from Capitol Hill High School the same year. Together, they raised their 3 children, Robert, Kadriye, and John. He loved spending quality time with his kids, whether it was just reading them a book with animated gestures or talking like daffy duck to make everyone laugh. Don absolutely treasured and doted over his grandchildren, with plenty of hugs, silliness, and heart full of love for all of them. Nothing made him smile bigger and forget his ailments more than spending time with his 5 granddaughters, Courtney, Melaney, Samantha, Abbie, Kayla, his grandson, Dakota, and his 2 great granddaughters, Konner Kate, and Elizabeth Wray.

Don was a loving husband, father, granddad, and brother who was always ready for a conversation about anything and everything, unless he was “resting his eyes” watching golf. He loved taking care of his family, even if that meant providing an impromptu treatment at a family gathering. But be ready for a quick anatomy lesson as he whips out a complicated name of the tendon you strained. He loved to laugh and gave the best and biggest hugs.

Don was such an extremely giving, smart, funny, genuine, tender-hearted man. He will be dearly missed by everyone who has ever had the pleasure of knowing him and will be forever carried in our hearts.

Don is survived by his wife of 54 years, Iris Kay Landis, as well as his children, Robert (Sheila Colvin) Landis, and Kadriye (Chas Jones) Landis; 5 granddaughters, Courtney (Kyle) Stock, Melaney (Wil) Hayden, Samantha (Sadie) Arnold, Abbie Jones, and Kayla Coffman; grandson, Dakota (Peyton) Jones; and 2 great granddaughters, Konner Kate Hayden, and Elizabeth Wray Jones; his siblings, Richard (Dale Ann) Landis, and Diana (Dana) Cramer; along with nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his biological father, James Landis; his parents, Kenneth and Lee Head; brother, Keith Head; and youngest son, John Landis.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at Matthews Funeral Home 601 S Kelly Ave Edmond, OK on Tuesday July 18, 2023, at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Don’s name to

Westview Boys Home at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E3948&id=1

or The American Diabetes Association at Diabetes.org, or A Charity of your choosing

We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but are not able to.  To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.