Born and raised and always a Ballard resident, Jim recognized the value of contributing time and effort to causes he believed built strong communities. His dedication to literally countless voluntary public service hours were recognized and appreciated both locally and internationally.

Organizations which benefited from Jim’s participation included Seafair where he was a past-president, Ballard Rotary and the Seattle Mariners RBI Club. Fiercely proud of his Norwegian heritage, Jim immersed himself in all things Scandinavian, including Ballard’s Sytennde Mai Committee (serving as parade chair for thirty years), Swedish Medical Center Board of Governors, Sons of Norway, University of Washington Department of Scandinavian Studies, Nordlandslaget Femboringen, Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce and the Nordic Heritage Museum.

Jim never forgot his Ballard High School experience and gave freely of his time and talents to his alma mater. He was an active member and chair of the Ballard High School Athletic Committee and Ballard High School Foundation. He served as chair of the very successful annual Foundation Golf Classic. Attendees of football and basketball games could hear the “Voice of the Beavers” – and came to recognize it as none other than Jim’s.

Honors and recognitions given to Jim included the Captain Wm. R. Ballard Award from the Ballard High School Foundation, Golden Acorn from Ballard PTSA and the Stan Boreson Award from the Ballard Chamber of Commerce. The title of “Sir” was bestowed on Jim in 1997 by his majesty King Harold VI, King of Norway as he knighted Jim with the Royal order of St. Olaf’s medal for all of his efforts in promoting relationships between Norway and the United States. August 4, 2009 was declared as Sir Jim Va Save & Exit tn Day in Seattle by the Seattle City Council.