Jak King, a founding member of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods and a much-loved historian, writer and activist in Grandview-Woodland, passed away on July 3, 2024. Jak was known to many as a champion of community-oriented practices and an advocate for the preservation of neighbourhood identity and character.

Jak was born in London, England, to Rosalie and Jack King. He followed in the footsteps of his father with a career in the film industry before retiring and dedicating his life to community advocacy.

Jak was a Grandview treasure—a historian, storyteller, neighbourhood advocate and a keen observer of Vancouver’s changing urban landscape. His generosity, knowledge and tireless efforts over many decades made a lasting impact on the city’s development discussions, inspiring both colleagues and friends. He worked with some of the leading voices in Vancouver’s planning and design community, always supporting people-first solutions to the most pressing urban issues.

Jak wrote three books about Commercial Drive, telling the story of its rich and interesting history. From February 2008 onward, Jak shared his views and passions on his blog, Jak’s View of Vancouver, providing an unfiltered lens into the evolution of his neighbourhood. Jak was also a long-time mentor to CityHallWatch, always encouraging young people to engage, mobilize and advocate for the futures of their communities and the wider world. His work and wisdom emphasized that lasting change happens through sustained, local effort and by empowering younger generations to shape the urban environments around them.

Jak was predeceased by his brother Stewart. He is survived by his wife Sherry; his son Sam; his grandsons Jordan and Lewis; his great-granddaughter Emily Ann King, who is Jordan’s daughter; and his daughter Victoria and her daughter Gemma.

Donations to the Jak King Memorial Fund will support students in the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), helping to celebrate and develop the next generation of community advocates, urban planners and neighbourhood leaders. SCARP’s programs are focused on sustainable, people-centred urban planning, aimed to build communities that thrive through thoughtful design and meaningful community engagement.

Jak’s belief in community-driven planning closely aligned with SCARP’s mission to create cities that reflect the values, needs and aspirations of their residents. By supporting SCARP students through the Jak King Memorial Fund, you are empowering future city-builders to continue Jak’s legacy of advocacy, community and change. Your generous donation will help shape communities for generations to come—a vision Jak always dreamed of.