Larry E. Pitts
Larry E. Pitts, 52, of Polson, went to be with Jesus on Monday, November 9, 2009 at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan surrounded by his loving family.
Larry was born on September 29, 1957 in Missoula, MT, son of Eugene and Faye Oehrling Pitts of Dixon, MT. Larry grew up in Dixon and graduated from Dixon High School as the class Valedictorian in 1975. He then attended the University of Montana and the East-West College of Massage Therapy in Portland, OR. He was also an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
In 1979, Larry married Ginger Olson and they lived in Missoula, Portland, and then later moved back to the Mission Valley at which time he opened a massage practice in Polson, “Massage for Health”.
At age 12, Larry was diagnosed with diabetes and in 1991 received a kidney transplant in which his sister, KoLynn, gladly donated hers. Health was important to Larry and that same year, he went to work for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department as a community health representative. He enjoyed this position as it allowed him to go into people’s homes to coach them in healthier living. Larry eventually became a fitness specialist at the Ronan and St. Ignatius Tribal Health fitness facilities. He hosted the PBS TV program, “Good Medicine” for many years and loved working with the media crew at SKC. It was another good outlet to broadcast his zany personality. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Mission Valley Power board, building wonderful relationships with other board members.
Larry attended the CMA Church in Polson and gave his life to the Lord there in 1989. He loved playing the congos with the CMA worship team, and for the past six years at the New Life Christian Center. From a young age Larry enjoyed sports and became an MOA official for basketball while he was in college. He also refereed NCAA Women’s College Basketball. Always athletic, he excelled at multiple sports with the proud support of his parents. He passed on his enthusiasm for sports to his children and loved both coaching, and watching his children compete. Other parents will attest to the fact that Larry loved bragging about his kids, and was quick to work them into his conversations.
Larry loved people and people loved Larry. He was a friend to everyone and was always ready to listen and encourage all who came to him. Friends knew that they could call him at any time, day or night, and reach a listening ear and loving advice. He adored this community, and poured his life out for his native brothers and sisters.
A beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Larry was not easily overlooked and his presence lit up a room. His constant encouragement and selfless love for others has impacted the lives of many. He lived a life of integrity in his walk with the Lord, and his actions corresponded with his passionate convictions. Larry claimed that Philippians 4:13 was his life-verse, and he knew that in Christ’s strength, he could do absolutely anything. Though always small in stature, his native brothers affectionately referred to him as “little big-man”. He possessed a fun and crazy sense of humor, which shone through his life, despite the circumstances.
Survivors include his loving wife, Ginger Pitts of Polson; daughter, Whitney Pitts of Polson and Spokane, WA; son, Taylor Pitts of Polson; parents Gene & Faye Pitts of Dixon, two sisters, Lettie (John) Neuman of Missoula, and KoLynn (Paul) Sinclair of Yakima, WA; two brothers, Garry (Christine) Pitts of Polson, and Terry (Crystal) Pitts of Dixon; 5 sisters-in-law, Carolyn Cole of Polson, Linda (Kendall) Dupuis of Polson, Amy (Dan) Toelke of Ronan, Bonnie (Dan) Horton of Bellevue, WA, and Melody (Bob) Thiel of Polson; a brother-in-law, Matt (Chiko) Olson of Helena, MT; mother-in-law, Lou (Jim) Duford of Polson; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation for friends and family will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 12 – 7 PM at the Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. A memorial service for Larry will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, 1:00 PM at the Linderman Gymnasium in Polson with Pastor Shawn Madsen officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Larry’s name to Youth With a Mission (YWAM) – New Wave, at 40972 Farm Rd., Polson, MT 59860.
The family would like to thank Dr. Meg Eddy, Dr. Ed. Vizcarra, and Dr. Paul Gochis, as well as the wonderful staff at St. Luke Community Hospital for their loving and attentive care. He considered all of you to be friends.
Messages of condolence may be expressed to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson is honored to assist Larry’s family.
I share your sorrow with the loss of Larry. He was a good and gracious man, and I’m sure he now sits at the right hand of God. I was blessed to know Larry these many years and aware of his many contributions to the Indian and greater communities here on the reservation. I always felt he was one of the “old souls,” that God sends us on occasion to help guide us in our own lives. I and his countless admirers will always remember him fondly.
I read somewhere that when you die you don’t really leave your loved ones because you take a piece of everyone with you and leave a piece of yourself with those that remain.
Blessings on you all
Roger McClure
I was so blessed to know and have someone as amazing as Larry in my life. I’ll never forget those Sunday morning services. Larry was the center of my attention during worship, I was always amazed with his enthusiasm and pure emotion that he displayed when worshiping the one he loved. He was truly a man of god. He was a great friend and will surely be missed. I send my condolences and love to all. We were all so blessed to have such a man in our lives.
Strohm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mourn the lost of Larry. May God’s comforting arms surround you in this time of lost, by giving you peace.
Dear Ginger, Whitney, & Taylor, we were saddened to hear the news about Larry’s passing.Please know that our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Love in Christ, Jim & Laura Clairmont & family
-it’s a “CONGOPALOOZA!!” up in heaven
Ginger and family –
I was so sorry to hear that Larry is no longer with us in body, although he will always remain in our memories. I want to thank you both for your very positive impact on the residents and staff of the TLC in Pablo.
You have my very best wishes.
John
Larry Pitts was a fine man in all ways. He handled the hand that was dealt him in the finest way possible. His belief in his God and the goodness of all was so very positive and visible. He will be missed by all that knew him. May he rest in peace. Ginger, no one could have been better for him. Take care and keep the faith.
Love, Patrick and Brenda
I have fond memories of my times when Larry and I played golf together. He was a blessing to many people and will be greatly missed.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers-
I was so sorry to hear about Larry’s passing. I have fond memories of Larry during our days officiating. Larry was one of a kind and a pleasure to be around. His antics, fun loving joking, and positive attitude has always been what made him the character he was. He never passed up a moment to shine the light on someone who might otherwise not be seen. For that he was remarkable. I will miss his smiling face at the bench during Polson basketball games and I will miss being worried that he would have some comment about the referees that he would not hesitate to blare over the loud speaker.
My condolences to the entire Pitts family and relatives. I will miss my friend.
Dear Ginger, Garry, and all of Larry’s family,
It is with great sadness I heard off Larry’s passing. I will forever hold close to my heart all my memories of Larry. From first meeting hm at the Elmo Clinic, to the THHS Christmas party stories that had us all rolling in laughter, to the deep truths we discussed at the fitness center in Ronan. He was always an inspiration in my life, and for so many others. He was a man of action, from stories of CPR on the street to feeding people that needed food. It was truly a privilege to know Larry, and to know you Ginger, and see your children grow up. I am so glad I got to see you both on my last visit to the Mission Valley. My daughter Maya and my son Sequoya also have wonderful memories of Larry. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Please feel free to contact me anytime, if there is anything I can ever do for all of you.
Love, Fumi, Maya and Sequoya
We will always remember Larry’s helpful coaching tips to our athlete sons. His kind advise and great knowledge helped them a lot. His great spirit and sense of humor as well as his genuine interest in everyone around him made an icon in the community. His loving heart will be remembered the most and his legacy will continue to be felt in his many friends hearts and in our great memories of a truly wonderful man.
We extend our condolences for the loss of Larry at such an early age. God bless you all.
Ginger & Kids, sorry for your loss. It was a tough battle. But I’m sure Larry is up there banging his drum and singing away.
Larry was such a positive person and full of life! I remember my folks always stopping by to see him at his massage clinic when they went to polson and he always made the time for them. everybody loved larry! His health must have made life very difficult but he never let this show. Rest now Larry and we will see you again.
LUCKY US, TO HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SUCH A WONDERFUL MAN AND HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. A HEALER HE WAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE. GINGER, THANK YOU FOR BEING ALL HE EVER NEEDED IN A FRIEND, WIFE, MOTHER AND CAREGIVER. HE LOVED YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN SO VERY MUCH. HE WILL BE MISSED. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO EACH OF YOU.
To the family of Larry, his Mom, Dad , brothers and sisters I am sorry for your lost. As we were growing up we thought we would live forever and I would always have time to meet up with my child hood friend at a later date. Im sorry that we will never meet again and Ive lost a friend and a link to our past.
Our deepest sympathy to you for the loss of Larry. Where there is difficulty or loss,God gives hope. Where there is hurt or pain or need,God gives gentle assurance. Where there is love, God is. May God’s love be with you.
I was so sadden to hear of Larry’s passing. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. Larry was one of those people that was larger than life, he made you feel special even if he hardly knew you, you had his undivided attention when you spoke to him. He was a guide while here on earth and will remain a guide from above .
Ginger. My deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers, go out to you and your family. I never knew Larry, but it sounds like He knew his direction, and what he was here for. What a Blessing He was!
Larry will be greatly missed. Through all his trials he continually had a friendly smile given freely to everyone. To his family my thoughts and prayers to you. Sincerely Todd
Dear Ginger,
I wanted to express my love and sympathies to you. I am so sorry for your loss. Although I didn’t know Larry personally, I continually heard about him and his reputation. I knew you were blessed to have this Godly man for your huband. I pray you will experience supernatural comfort in these difficult days ahead, and know I am specifically praying for you in this holiday season!
Love,
MerriLee Lindburg Valentine
I am sorry to learn about the death of Larry E. Pitts. This must have been a difficult time for all. Therefore, I am forwarding scripture to bring solace. Please, read the following scriptures: Psalm 90:10, Genesis 5:3-32 and Hebrews 9:27.
The thought of you still gives me smiles. Thank you for a wonderful gift.
I met Larry when I became a Christian in 1990. I attended the CMA church in Polson. Larry’s smile was infectious and he pounded on those drums like nobody’s business! I remember how intently he listened. Even in casual conversation, he never broke eye contact and always made you feel special. I haven’t seen Larry in many years, and was sad to hear of his passing. However, I consider him a bulwark of faith as an example for me in my early Christian years. I know he is with the Lord and we will see each other again. May the Lord bless and keep you as you mourn for your loss.
So very sorry to hear about Larry, He put up a great fight for life all his life he will surly be missed by us all. He will be in our minds for a long time.
I am so sorry to hear about Larry’s passing and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk about Larry and how much he meant to me. As most of you know, I was Larry’s basketball and track coach at Dixon when he was a Junior. We had such a tight team and supported each other very well. Larry was a leader and an inspiration to his team and classmates. I am saddened that I wasn’t able to stay in touch with Larry and the others, but life takes us in different courses sometimes and god only knows what that plan is. I have been out of teaching and coaching for some time now, but did do that for 27 wonderful years. Teaching and coaching in Dixon was such a fun time and i hope that those memories put a smile on Larry’s face.
My condolences to his family and now that he is in heavon he can enjoy those jelly filled donuts that he snuck. God blessed him while he was here on earth and now he can relish in his grace.
Heard today from my mother, Catherine McLaughlin Brock, about Larry’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Pitts family.
God bless to all.
Easy
He will always be remembered.