Mark Thomas Medcalf

Mark Thomas Medcalf, 74, passed away on July 26, 2023 in Thousand Oaks, CA after a 5 month long battle with Pancreatic cancer. At his bedside in his final days were his beloved wife Polly, his family, his dear friend, Suvi Kainulainen, his guardian angel and the Lord.

Mark was born July 22, 1949 in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from boarding school at the Adventist Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Washington and received his Physical Therapy degree from Loma Linda University in 1974.

After completing internships in Southern California, Mark accepted a position at Westlake Community Hospital as Physical Therapy Department head. Nine years later, he started his own clinic which he called Seven Oaks Physical Therapy. He serviced 2 locations for two years, one in Hawthorne and one in Westlake Village on Willow Lane. The one in Westlake grew so quickly that he closed the one by LAX.

Mark’s unique ability to help and inspire those in need of treatment, fueled several years of growth for his Physical Therapy practice. In 1988, Mark bought one of the first spaces available at 1240 Westlake Blvd. By 2000, Seven Oaks outgrew that location and moved to 911 Hampshire, also in Westlake Village. With more new employees and many more patients, Mark was finally able to fulfill his dream. By 2005, he relocated Seven Oaks to 141 Triunfo Canyon, as not only the leader of Seven Oaks, but the owner of the building with almost 20,000 square feet.

One of Mark’s favorite activities was the annual boat trip to Lake Powell. Sometimes family and sometimes friends accompanied him with his favorite sidekick, Polly. Oh, and for many years, his second mate was a golden retriever by the name of Harley J. Dog. Mark’s generous spirit coupled with his love of waterskiing, made it possible to teach dozens of kids and adults the art of flying over the water on skis. His other love at Lake Powell was to cruise the lake in his 24 ft. day cruiser “the Red Baron”, hiking to Rainbow Bridge, La Gorce Arch, Cathedral in the Desert, and Gregory Natural Bridge through 180 miles of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. First trip was 1977, last trip was 2022. Then, in 1992 the Houseboat vacations started! With up to 22 people on the boat, what fun he had and what memories he created for everyone on board.

Through the years, Mark made a lot of friends. He loved his job more than anything except for his wife, Polly and his dogs. He helped so many patients get stronger and hopefully get their lives back on track. During his 49 years as a Physical Therapist, Mark gave patients at Seven Oaks HOPE. Endlessly inspiring those he treated, Mark’s signature expression, “You da Man!!” will echo forever in the hearts of those he helped. He never gave up on hope, even in his will to live.

Mark is survived by his wife, Polly and his Golden Retriever, Reggie, his step-son Scott Phelan, (wife Lisa) and grandchildren Jack, Kelly and Casey of La Canada, brother David Paul Medcalf (wife Vicki) and children Melanie Cranke (husband David), Sara Warren (wife, Jesse), great nephew, Owen, sons Robert and Paul, all of Fallbrook, CA, niece Heidi Medcalf, nephew Eric Medcalf (wife Stacie), Jeremy Medcalf (wife Tiffany) and great niece Julia, named after Mark’s mother, and sister in law Linda Medcalf all of Dallas Texas. Preceded in death: brother, William James Medcalf, Jr, his parents Julia Mae & William James Medcalf, Sr.,

And step-daughter Debora Phelan Zimmerman, Westlake Village.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contribution in name of Mark Medcalf to

Best Friends Animal Society: https://www.bestfriends.org

Parkinson’s Foundation: https://www.parkinson.org