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Troup Parks & Recreation Director Lance Dennis spoke on behalf of Pitts, saying he has so much respect for him.

“We’re in some uncharted waters for Troup County, as far as employment goes. I’m not sure we’ve ever had someone with 50 years of service for Troup County,” Dennis said. 

Michael Pitts was initially hired by the county in 1972 as a part-time Lifeguard for the West Point Recreation Department. 

“It was a summer job for a young man looking to earn some extra cash in the community he loved,” said Dennis.

Pitts continued his education and his job at the Recreation Department, later becoming a full-time employee in 1975.

In 1979, Pitts was named the Area Parks & Rec Director for the West Point area in Troup County.

“He was hesitant to take the position and little did he know what positive effect that decision would have on the citizens of Troup County. Michael has now completed 50 years as an employee and has touched the lives of so many of our residents. I am honored to be on staff with a man with so much dedication and experience. Recreation in West Point wouldn’t be the success it is today without the dedication, vision and hard work of Michael Pitts,” Dennis said.

Along with an award commemorating his service, Pitts was given a framed photo of the fields he oversees in West Point.

“When you go into Parks and Recreation, in order to be really good at your job like Mike is, you’re going to spend a lot of time at your facilities, at your gyms, being with the community in public. You can probably go ask the mailman where Mike lives down there, and he might give you a residence there. But if you ask people in that community where Mike lives, they’re going to tell you something different … this is where most of the residents know is Mike’s home,” Dennis said, handing him the photo of the fields in West Point.