Family physician served patients, Grapevine

Dr. Carlton Pittard served Grapevine as a family doctor and general surgeon for more than 50 years, and after retiring in April from his practice, Comprehensive Family Medical at 1280 S. Main St., he was honored at both a Grapevine City Council meeting April 15 and a come-and-go reception at Lancaster Theater on April 24.

Although Pittard said the city didn't look like what it does today when he set up his practice, he said he chose Grapevine because he saw potential in it.

"I knew Grapevine had a great opportunity to become a great city," he said.

And after setting up shop, he didn't take long to get his feet wet. While Pittard said practicing medicine was always his love, he also wanted to build skills in more ways than his profession as a doctor. Pittard served as a real estate broker and received a ranch management certification.

Throughout his time in Grapevine, Pittard contributed a variety of services such as helping start Grapevine Memorial Hospital, which is now Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine; organizing the second bank in the town at the time; serving on the City Council; and being president of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce. He balanced these tasks with working at his practice and maintaining a family with his wife and five children.

"I think God helped me make a decision on if I wanted to be in business or medicine," he said. "My main deal as a physician is ultimately how I affect people spiritually. It's a hallelujah when you save [someone's] life and really change their life forever. At least it's a chance for them to live longer and eventually get connected to God," Pittard said.

John Wood, one of Pittard's patients, said the doctor saved his life after he was caught in an explosion at his job 10 years ago. After the experience, Wood said he developed a friendship with Pittard.

At the April 15 council meeting, Pittard was presented with an award by long-time hunting buddy and friend Mayor William D. Tate. Friends since the mayor moved to Grapevine in the 1960s, Pittard said he delivered Tate's twin daughters after Tate's wife went into labor during an ice storm.

Pittard said he is an avid fisherman and hunter and said he plans to spend his newfound time keeping up with the things he loves. But he has another goal.

"I want to stay in touch with my patients," he said. "They were always able to contact me any time. You could be the greatest doctor in the world, but if they couldn't get to you, you're not helping them that much."

Timeline of service

1960: Pittard moves to Grapevine

1967: Begins working with Ed and Minnie Lee Lancaster at the Grapevine Clinic

1967: Starts Grapevine Memorial Hospital with the Lancasters

1975–78: Serves as Grapevine city councilman

1975: Becomes president of Grapevine Chamber of Commerce

1975: Opens a second clinic at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, working nights and weekends, but closes it in 1983

1981: Baylor buys Grapevine Memorial Hospital from the Ann B. Lancaster Foundation

2007: Moves practice to downtown Main Street

April 2014: Pittard retires

Quotables

"He is really the only doctor I've ever known."

—Imogene James, patient

James said she began seeing Pittard as a patient when she was in high school after he treated her for a basketball injury

"I'm going to miss him but wish him the best. I think he's the greatest doctor I've ever known." —Jeri Walker, patient