Zigmont "Jody" Le Towt, III

Jody was born on Feb. 2, 1934, in New York City, to Zigmont J. Le Towt, Jr. and Virginia Clark Le Towt. The family moved to Bethlehem, PA, where Jody lived for his formative years. Jody attended Lehigh University for three years, majoring in finance. While at Lehigh, he played on the lacrosse team. During his junior year, Jody received a principal appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he started a new academic career as a proud (but lowly) plebe in the Class of 1958. After graduation. he attended the U.S. Army Artillery School at Ft. Sill, OK, and earned his parachute jump wings at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Jody’s active-duty time was spent commanding a Cold War Nike missile base in the Boston area. While there, he studied industrial management at Boston University’s graduate school.

After his military obligation, Jody entered the business world and was hired by Nestle Corporation, the Swiss chocolate company. He received corporate training at White Plains, NY, and Atlanta, GA. With his background in finance and his civil engineering training at West Point, he moved into manufacturing and production. Nestle sent him to a plant in snowy upstate New York, where he became assistant plant manager, making chocolate morsels and other custom chocolates. In 1962, he was sent to a plant in the Salinas Valley where he discovered the Monterey Peninsula. While living in Pebble Beach and working in Salinas, Jody met the love of his life, Dianne Ferrill. Jody and Dianne were married in 1965 at the Church of the Wayfarer. The reception was held at Del Monte Lodge (The Lodge at Pebble Beach).

Over the next few years, corporate transfers took the couple to Wisconsin and Fresno, however, the Monterey Peninsula was never far from their minds. Longing for Carmel and tiring of the corporate grind, the couple moved back to Carmel in 1969 and opened Le Bistro restaurant on San Carlos Street near Ocean Avenue. For the next 28 years, the couple owned and operated Le Bistro, which was known for its Bistro Burger (with secret sauce), deliciously fluffy waffles and savory omelets. Many local families were regulars, and more than a few Carmel youth obtained their first job and work experience bussing tables, washing dishes and waiting tables at Le Bistro with Jody and Dianne at the helm. As time passed, Dianne looked after the restaurant and Jody spent more of his time devoted to property management, real estate development and forming partnerships with local families and friends to acquire commercial properties in downtown Carmel. In 1996, Jody and Dianne purchased the landmark historical Hugh Comstock Tuck Box property, on Dolores Street in Carmel and took over the Tuck Box “English” Tea Room, famously renowned for its English scones and jams. “The Box”, as Jody and his family fondly refer to the restaurant, is still owned and operated by the Le Towt family today.

Jody’s strong work ethic and drive had him always working on a project (usually real estate related). If he didn’t have a project, he would seek, find or create one. Over the years, he worked with many local families, friends, business owners, community leaders, non-profits and those wishing to build, develop, improve or invest in commercial and mixed-used properties, public spaces and non-profit-owned properties in Carmel, Pebble Beach and Monterey. There was a time in not so long-ago Carmel history, where if you wanted to get something related to commercial property or development done in downtown Carmel, you would be told to “call Jody Le Towt.”

Jody was an avid alpine skier, helicopter skiing pioneer and tennis player. He and his long-time band of ski buddies were instrumental in growing the Mike Weigle Heli-Ski resort in Blue River, British Columbia, Canada. He also enjoyed playing tennis with his tennis crew and friends at the Beach and Tennis Club in Pebble Beach. If he was not hard at work, he could often be found out on the courts serving up some nasty spins and slices and executing lethal drop shots.

Jody had a special bond with his class of ’58 West Point classmates, and always remained involved in the greater West Point community. Notably, he organized two West Point “mini-reunions” in Carmel that are still remembered fondly by many of his classmates. Jody loved to entertain almost as much as he enjoyed reconnecting with friends and sharing his love of the beautiful area he lived in.

Jody was involved in numerous community organizations, and always available to lend a helping hand to anyone in need — an individual enduring a rough patch or a non-profit organization, giving his time, financial support and occasionally steeply discounted or donated office space. He served as president of the Carmel Rotary Club and remained active in many local organizations that supported local youth programs or music and the arts throughout the years.

Later in life Jody joined the board of the Del Monte Forest Conservancy (DMFC) where he served several terms as president. During his DMFC tenure, he spearheaded restoration of the historically significant Casita de Lemos, also known as the “The Gingerbread House” in Pebble Beach. As long-time friend and business owner Pete Scudder put it, “Casita de Lemos was designed and built by artist Pedro de Lemos with a loving restoration headed up by Jody Le Towt.” Jody took great pride in the final immaculately restored product of the Gingerbread House which is currently used by the DMFC as an income producing rental property. His contributions to the organization also included making improvements to the hiking and equestrian trails in Pebble Beach, especially in and around The Gingerbread House and Indian Village, as well as more recent hazard and fuel reduction efforts in the Del Monte Forest.

Jody was a husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, savvy businessman, attentive landlord and good friend to many. He was eldest of four Le Towt children, and maintained an especially close bond with his three younger siblings, Susan, Fran and Jon. He was affectionately referred to by them as their big brother “Jojo”. The “sibs” remained close even though they lived across the country and abroad up until his passing. He will be greatly missed by us all. We will especially miss his big heart, equally big smile, his work-hard, play-hard, generous and kind, fun-loving attitude. Wherever he is now, we know Dianne is there too, likely entertaining and enjoying the company of good friends while dancing to great music and drinking fine wine.

Jody is survived by his sons, Jeffrey Le Towt of Carmel and Eric Le Towt of Carmel Valley; daughter-in-law, Kim Le Towt of Carmel Valley; grandson, Jack Le Towt of Carmel Valley; granddaughter, Tatum Le Towt of Carmel Valley; sister, Susan Peverley of Bel Air, Maryland; sister, Frances von Bonin of Dusseldorf, Germany; brother, Jon H. Le Towt of St. Michaels, Maryland; nine nieces and nephews; too many grandnieces and nephews to count, and his beloved Airedale, Bosky. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dianne, in 2002. A special thank you to his good friend, “helper” and angel on earth, Tara Banjanin, for her support in assisting him navigate the last year.

A Celebration of Jody’s life will begin at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18th, 2025, at Indian Village in Pebble Beach, California, 93953.

Memorial contributions in Jody’s honor may be made to:

Stevenson School (Day Science & Engineering Center)

3152 Forest Lake Road, Pebble Beach, CA 93953

or

West Point Association of Graduates (Class of 1958 Fund)

698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 1996