Jim Vatn, a lifetime Ballardite who had a hand in seemingly every feature that makes Ballard the neighborhood it is, passed away in his sleep Nov. 7 at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer.

After graduating from Ballard High School in 1962, Vatn was a ceaseless presence and do-gooder in Ballard and the larger Norwegian-American community in Seattle.

During his life, Vatn was a member of the Ballard Rotary Club, Sons of Norway, Seafair president, member of the Swedish Medical Center Board of Governors, member of the Sytennde Mai Committee and chair of the parade for 30 years, member of the University of Washington Department of Scandinavian Studies, member of the Nordic Heritage Museum, member of the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Ballard High School Athletic Committee, member of the Ballard High School Foundation, and the announcer for both the Ballard High School basketball and football games, for a start.

Vatn said he stayed in Ballard and kept so involved because he enjoyed its residents so much.

"Ballard and our community just has such great people," he told the Ballard News-Tribune in June 2009. "There is such a great community spirit."

That community showed its appreciation of Vatn through a number of awards and recognitions.

He received the Capt. Wm. R. Ballard Award from the Ballard High School Foundation, the Stan Boreson Award from the Ballard Chamber of Commerce and the 2007 Acorn Award from the Ballard High School PTSA. Vatn was knighted by the king of Norway for his involvement in the Norwegian-American community in Seattle.

"Jim was truly a Ballard fixture," said Lyn Porterfield, former president of the Ballard High School PTSA.

The Ballard High School Foundation's Mary Wong worked with Vatn closely on the annual Ballard High School Golf Classic, which has raised more than $600,000 for the school's athletics and music programs.

"Jim inspired all of us to do more due to his love for the Ballard community," Wong said. "He will be greatly missed."

Beth Miller, executive director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, said she will always associate Vatn with the 17th of May parade, when he would often wear a beautiful Norwegian sweater and greet everyone he saw.

"He always seemed so happy to see you and to share some news or information," Miller said. "He is another one we've lost who worked hard to perpetuate our sense of community."

Billy Rodgers, Ballard High School boys basketball coach and Ballard Boys & Girls Club athletic director, got to know Vatn through his mother Janet Rodgers, who was executive director of the Ballard High School Foundation and passed away earlier this year.

"The best way to put it is Jim cared about Ballard," Rodgers said. "He cared about the community, its schools and businesses. His passion was truly special and inspiring."

Rodgers said Vatn was a born leader and role model and was always there when someone needed him.

He said he won't forget Vatn's enthusiasm while announcing the basketball team's lineup or the way he stepped up to emcee last year's Boys & Girls Club auction.

Ballard High School Principal Keven Wynkoop describes Vatn as the ultimate Beaver.

"He loved the school and the community with all his heart and attention," Wynkoop said. "He was willing to do anything to help our school out."

Because of Vatn's love of his position as "Voice of the Beavers," a responsibility he always took seriously, Ballard High School will be dedicating the scorers table to him this season, Wynkoop said.

A small plaque will be attached to the scorers table during one of the first Ballard High School home basketball games this winter.

"Jim would want us to continue to work on behalf of the local community, support the local schools and support the community events that make Ballard what it is today," Rodgers said. "He will be greatly missed."

Service are set for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Ballard First Lutheran Church followed by a celebration of life at Leif Erikson Lodge. Donations may be made for Elisa Vatn's education fund, Ballard High School Foundation, Swedish Hospital Foundation and Ballard Rotary.