Don A. Wilson MD

Don’s courageous and valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease ended peacefully on July 3, surrounded by his loving family. The diligent and devoted care of his wife, Julie, provided the optimum quality of life possible until the end.

Born in Blackwell, Oklahoma on December 22, 1942 to Frances Marie (Bradley) and Lloyd George Wilson, Don’s early life was spent experiencing the variety of his dad’s U.S. Army assignments, including 13 years living in Germany. In 1960 Don began his Pre-Medical studies at Arizona State University, and entered the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1963, graduating with his Doctor of Medicine in 1967. He completed his Internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA, and subsequently served as the Medical Officer on the USS Cambria during the Vietnam era. Having been honorably discharged as a Lt. Commander, United States Navy in 1971, Don returned to OUHSC for his residency in Diagnostic Radiology until 1974, when he was certified by the American Board of Radiology. He joined the faculty at OUHSC as a professor of Radiological Sciences, became staff radiologist at the VA Hospital, Oklahoma Children’s Memorial Hospital and Oklahoma Memorial Hospital, attaining tenure in 1980, and full professorship in 1985. Along with his professional duties, Don devoted himself to extensive research, publishing over 50 papers in respected medical journals; and presenting his findings to colleges at numerous professional meetings. Don completed a Research Fellowship in Magnetic Resonance Imaging at the Royal Post Graduate Medical School at the University of London’s Hammersmith Hospital in London, England, and Phillips Spectroscopy Studies in Trondhiem, Norway. Don was honored in both Canada and the United States for his meaningful contributions. At the time of his retirement from OUHSC in 2006, Don was Medical Director of the Magnetic Resonance Center, Professor of Radiological Sciences, and a Board Certified Pediatric Neuro-Radiologist.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Don made time for the important people in his life. He will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, a wise and supportive father and grandfather, and a caring friend and animal lover. Don was a gifted and nurturing gardener, who enjoyed creating a beautiful environment for those he loved. He enjoyed his Rottweiler’s, his horses, and traveling to interesting places and learning about the people and their history.

Don was predeceased by his parents and his grandson, Tyler David Henry. Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Julie; his sons David Lloyd Wilson and Mark Thomas Jones (Rhonda); his daughters Kristen Elaine Bachman (Kelly), Cinthia Linn Reich (Rick), Deborah Lea Watson (Jim); and his grandchildren Hallee Wilson, JT Reich, Marilyn Jones, Wes Jones, Zak Jones, and Kathryn Jones.