Hoyt Bacon Leisure

1924 - 2016

November 9, 1924 - November 25, 2016 Hoyt Bacon Leisure passed away peacefully on November 25, 2016 at his home in Santa Monica after a long and full and happy life. He was the perfect gentleman who never forgot a name. He was born November 9, 1924 in Los Angeles to Rose Bacon Leisure and Hoyt Marr Leisure. He grew up in Beverly Hills and was a graduate of the El Rodeo Grammar School, Harvard (now Harvard Westlake) and Stanford where he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi. His University years were interrupted by World War 2. After completing officer training, he was sent to the Pacific with a PT squadron. After the war he was transferred to Subic Bay in the Philippines where he served for about four months as head of the military government. He led the Los Angeles based life insurance agency Leisure, Werden & Terry until his retirement in 1991. While the agency was known for its high-profile entertainment clientele, he distinguished himself as an innovator of new products and mass marketing techniques. He and Jacqueline Bohlig Block were married in 1948 after a whirlwind courtship. They settled in Santa Monica, raised three children among a wide circle of friends in a remarkable community. In later years, they traveled the world and enjoyed a second home in Palm Springs. Early in their marriage Jackie suggested Hoyt join her in an art history class which led to his thirty-year involvement with LACMA where he served for more than a decade as a trustee. He served as a trustee at Harvard School during the period it was changing from a Military Academy to a co-ed school. He was also a past president of the Santa Monica Beach Club and further was credited with many innovations during his tenure on the Smoke Tree Ranch Board in Palm Springs. He was a great raconteur! He loved opera! In addition to Jackie, Hoyt is survived by his brother John of Hillsborough, CA; sons Hoyt Anthony (Jane) and Lawrence Bacon (Bren) and Charlotte (Charley Morgan), four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Services were private. A Celebration of his life is being planned.