Charles Thomas Fitts, M.D., 76, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

He was born in Jackson, TN, on July 4, 1932. He was the son of the late William Thomas Fitts, M.D. and Isobel Bill Fitts. Dr. Fitts earned his B.A. from Princeton in 1953 and his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1957.

During his tenure at MUSC, Dr. Fitts held several appointments including Professor of Surgery, Medical Director of the South Carolina Organ Procurement Agency (SCOPA), and attending surgeon at Medical University Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital. He is credited with pioneering the organ transplant program at MUSC where he performed the first kidney transplant on December 3, 1968. His success with kidney transplants established the model for subsequent transplant programs at MUSC. Among his numerous lifelong accomplishments,

Dr. Fitts served as a trauma surgeon in Vietnam as well as Chief of the Trauma Study Branch, US Army Medical Corps Surgical Research Unit, Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He authored over 100 medical articles and was a sought-after snake and alligator bite specialist in the Southeast. After leading the way in launching the kidney transplant program and establishing the framework for other transplant programs that followed at MUSC, Dr. Fitts retired to proudly enter private practice with his son, Dr. Casey Fitts, at Coastal Surgical Associates in Charleston. After practice with his son, he dedicated his medical expertise to working with disability claims at age 72. With his profound knowledge as a medical witness and his unconditional loyalty to the patient, he was awarded Medical Consultant of the Year in 2006.

After more than 50 dedicated years in medicine and a full life, Dr. Fitts has made a lasting impression on many. Known as one of the last cowboys of MUSC, he was a voice dedicated to resisting the notion of medicine as business. He was a storyteller and teacher with flair and a style that captivated all who knew him. Always considered a family man, his family reached far beyond bloodline, as he was fondly known as Daddy Fitts by countless friends and associates.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Von Ohsen Fitts of Awendaw, and his nine children: Ansley Sliker, Georgia Sliker Gagliardi (Matthew), Kathryn Fitts, Summer Fitts, and Jenna Fitts. Along with Ann Driver Fitts, mother of Robert Casey Fitts, M.D. (Sue), Matthew Fitts, Ph.D, Layne Fitts Nelson (David), Amy Fitts Marvin (Randy), including eleven beloved grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Michael A. Fitts, LLB, of Nashville, TN, and wife, Polly. We remember the late siblings, William T. Fitts, Jr., M.D. (and here) (Stella/Barbara), Mary Fitts Ross (Blair), and twins, Nancy Wade Fitts and Patsy Graham Fitts.

The visitation will be held Friday, November 7th at the Fitts family home, 1360 Eden Road (Paradise Island) Awendaw, SC 29429 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. A Celebration of his Life will be Saturday, November 8th, at eleven o’clock in St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403. A reception will follow at the Embassy Suites Historic Charleston, 337 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice or All Saints Lutheran Church, 2107 North Highway 17, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466.

Please continue his legacy by raising awareness regarding organ donation and giving the gift of life at www.lifepoint-sc.org. As a celebration and tribute to the memorable and colorful character of Dr. Fitts, everyone is invited to wear bright colors to the memorial service.

~ The Program from Dr. Fitts’ Memorial  Service

15 Comments

  1. One of my favorite moments during the litigation between my company and the federal government was reading a paragraph from a letter that one of my siblings wrote to their Congressman. It underscored a few of the many reasons why I so love my family.

    “My sister and I come from a family of Democrats and Republicans with a long-standing tradition as private citizens of active involvement with federal, state and local government. Our late grandfather, as dean of the Wharton school, conducted research which paved the way for the first unemployment offices in Pennsylvania. Our late grandfather and step-grandfather, medical partners, working with our great uncle, than a U.S. Senator, brought penicillin to Tennessee. Our late father, as chief of surgery at Penn Medical School, used the specialty he acquired serving the China-Burma-India Theatre in World War II to regionalize the treatment of trauma throughout the country. Our step-mother works to ensure women are appropriately represented on Tennessee juries. One of our uncles, a retired business school professor, counsels on alternatives to violence in New Hampshire’s schools and prisons. One of our uncles, an academic surgeon, founded the first organ bank in South Caroline. One of our uncles, trained as an engineer and lawyer, serves Tennessee directly as chief architect, making sure its public buildings are safe, functional, and attractive…One of our cousins, a small farmer, serves on the City Council in Hickory Valley, Tennessee, where my sister lives. The events which I describe here and their devastating effect on my sister have, despite our long tradition of service, badly shaken our family’s confidence in our government.”

  3. Dear Catherine, our group will recite the Tibetan mantram for the next 49 days for your uncle…Ohm Mani Padme Hum, Ohm Mani Padme Hum, Ohm Mani Padme Hum. These words direct the one who has passed toward the Light of the Christ. And they aid the grief of the family. We stand with you. Risa & group

  4. Sending you lots of love and good wishes during this time Catherine. It is never easy losing a loved one.

    Yvonne

  5. Austin, I know you care about your uncles. He must have been a wonderful person. A life so devoted to the well being of others (family, patients and community) is a gift to Society. Thinking of you. (Uncle) Robin

  6. Catherine, please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

    On Saturday, I too, will remember to wear bright clothes to celebrate both the passing of Dr Charles Fitts through life’s revolving door, to honor the rich legacy he leaves(a delightful man to have sitting by you at a dinner party, what a joyful catalyst to have in your family). I will be remembering with gratitude the Fitts legacy you and your family members carry forward.

    In reading your memorial with it’s links, I saw another puzzle piece in the totality of who you are. I saw your deep seated love of justice, of caring and compassion. I saw your deep love of learning and independent thinking, your courage and pioneer thinking — and your willingness to expand ‘family’ beyond bloodlines to embrace and support kindred spirits. This is the living organic Fitts legacy that has emerge and been nurtured in your fine family. God Bless you all and may Charles sing with the angels. Joanna

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