Noted surgeon, Nevada native Pitts dies

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 | 9:38 a.m.

Dr. James D. Pitts, a native Nevadan and graduate of Basic High School who became one of the state's leading general surgeons and president of the Nevada State Medical Association, died Friday of cancer. He was 65.

While he spent most of his career practicing medicine in Carson City, Pitts kept a residence in Henderson throughout his life. He will be remembered at services 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Station Grill & Rotisserie, 900 S. Carson St. in Carson City. Walton's Chapel of the Valley funeral home in Carson City handled the arrangements.

Pitts, who served as president of the state medical association from 1980 to 1981, is credited with bringing carotid artery procedures to Carson City. He also helped start the Cancer Center in Carson City long before he was diagnosed with cancer, fellow physicians said.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., a high school classmate and longtime friend, recalled an incident that demonstrated both Pitts' dedication to his patients and his sense of humor.

"One time he was very late for a dinner we had planned," Reid said. "He came in apologizing, saying, 'I learned long ago in medical school never to hurry when I have someone on the operating table.' "

That attention did not go unnoticed by his peers.

"Dr. Pitts was an excellent surgeon and very good political leader," said Dr. Michael Fischer, current president of the Nevada State Medical Association and Pitts' eye doctor. "And he always kept his patients first."

Fischer said Pitts also was a dedicated scientist.

"The last time we talked he said he wanted to have an autopsy done on him, which is very unusual for someone to request," Fischer said. "He said as a scientist he felt the autopsy was necessary so that our profession could learn as much as possible about the cancer he had so we could save more lives."

Larry Matheis, executive director of the Nevada State Medical Association, said Pitts always met challenges, whether it was to his patients, his profession or the community.

"He always had time for what his community needed from him, including helping to train young physicians or volunteering for projects." Matheis said, noting that in 2002 Pitts was awarded the medical association's Community Service Award.

So proud was Pitts of being Nevada born, his car had the personalized license plate "NATIVE."

Born June 25, 1939, in McGill, Pitts graduated from Basic High School in 1957 and from the University of Oregon in 1961. Four years later he got his medical degree from the University of Oregon School of Medicine.

Pitts served as a doctor in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War and was decorated for jumping out of helicopters to treat wounded soldiers in the battlefield, Reid said.

Pitts returned to Nevada after his service years and set up his surgical practice with the Carson Surgical Group in 1972. He was Carson Tahoe Hospital chief of staff from 1974 to 1975 and from 1984 to 1985.

During his time as president of the state medical association, Pitts addressed such issues as respiratory ailments, drug abuse and health threats associated with over-exposure to the sun.

He served on the University of Nevada School of Medicine admission committee in the mid-1980s and was past president of the Nevada Professional Standards Review Organization.

Pitts is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carol Pitts; a son, Dr. Todd Pitts; and a daughter, Kathryn Haas, all of Carson City; his mother, Betty Jo Pitts; and two brothers, Jon Pitts and David Pitts, all of Las Vegas; and two grandsons.

Donations in memory of Dr. James D. Pitts can be made to the Carson Tahoe Foundation for its new cancer center, at P.O. Box 2168, Carson City, NV 89702.04