Garry Pitts grew up on the family ranch in Dixon, Montana, enjoying all the benefits of a Montana country childhood; hunting, fishing, sports, 4-H and of course, lots of chores. During the summers, while completing his pre-med degree at the University of Montana, he worked in forestry and fought fires, including two seasons as a smokejumper. Garry graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry in 1978, and became a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service, retiring in 2000 as a Captain-06. He also received a Masters of Public Health in Health Administration and Planning from the University of Hawaii in 1989. Following a career with the Indian Health Service, he owned a solo private practice for 10 years. Garry continues to work part time as the director of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Dental Program.
Garry is an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Over the years, he has served as President of the Montana Public Health Association and continues to work on committees for the Montana Dental Association. While his two children were growing up in Polson, he served on the Polson School Board for six years and did plenty of coaching in youth sports.
As two Montana kids, Garry and his wife Christine feel blessed to live in the Mission Valley. Garry is honored to have the opportunity to serve the community as a board member of GPCF and do his part to help the many dedicated people, who are working to keep our home, the “last best place.”
