James D. Pitts

A celebration of life for James D. Pitts, M.D., 65, a Nevada native, will be from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday at the Station Grill & Rotisserie, 900 S. Carson St.

Dr. Pitts died Oct. 22, 2004, in Carson City. He was born June 25, 1939, in McGill to Darrell and Betty Jo Pitts.

He graduated from Basic High School in Henderson in 1957, from the University of Oregon in 1961, and from the University of Oregon School of Medicine in 1965. He moved to Fresno, Calif., for his internship and surgical residency.

Dr. Pitts set up his surgical practice with Carson Surgical Group in 1972, and has practiced medicine in Carson City since that time. He was president of the State Medical Association 1980-1981 and Carson-Tahoe Hospital's chief of staff 1974-1975 and 1984-1985. He served on the admissions committee for the University of Nevada School of Medicine 1985-1986 and held various offices and titles.

He served in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam as a doctor.

Among his survivors are his wife of 44 years, Carol, son and daughter-in-law Dr. Todd and Terry and daughter and son-in-law Kathryn and Steve Haas, all of Carson City; grandsons Anthony and Derreck; mother and brothers Jon and David, all of Las Vegas; stepgrandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carson-Tahoe Foundation with a memo to specify for the new cancer center at Carson-Tahoe Hospital, P.O. Box 2168, Carson City, NV 89702.

Friends may send a message to the family guest book at www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com.

Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.