Donald Sydney Pitts

HOT SPRINGS — Donald Sydney Pitts, 81, passed away Aug. 2, 2006, in Sacramento, Calif.

A member of the Salish & Kootenai Tribe, Don was the son of Virgil and Geneva (Houle) Pitts. He was born in St. Ignatius on Dec. 12, 1923. He lived in Valley Creek, and later moved to Hot Springs where he attended school and graduated from high school in 1941.

He then attended the University of Montana for a year and was affiliated with S.A.E. Fraternity. Don then moved to Portland and became an orderly in the main hospital there before returning to Hot Springs where he enlisted in the Merchant Marine in 1942. Don served two years in the South Pacific. In 1944, he was honorably discharged.

Returning to Hot Springs, he was engaged in many occupations: a truck driver on the new Alaska Highway, and when the weather became bad, he returned to Hot Springs and started a dairy company. Upon selling the dairy he went to Lewistown, and worked on the railroad before returning to Hot Springs to start an excavation business.

Selling that business, he went to Sacramento, and worked for a dairy for 23 years plus working with the city ambulance when called. He then retired and went into the rare coin business until he permanently retired.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; a stepmother, Serena (Marquardt) Pitts, and a sister, Donna.

Survivors include brother Eugene (Faye) Pitts of Dixon; sister Nena (Bud) Heitmiller of Hawaii; nieces Letti (John) Neuman of Polson, Kolynn (Paul) Sinclair of Yakima, Wash., and Teresa (Derk) Olea of Sacramento; nephews Dr. Garry (Christine) Pitts of Polson, Terry (Crystal) Pitts of Dixon, Larry (Ginger) Pitts of Pablo, Robert Veitch of Helena and Stephen Heitmiller of California and numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces.

At his request, cremation has taken place and private family services will be held Labor Day weekend at the Lone Pine Cemetery where he will be laid to rest by his father.

Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home of St. Ignatius is assisting the family.