Cody Isaacson, 16, is remembered for having a smile on his face – a trait that is considered Isaacson’s trademark by some.

Isaacson was killed Sunday after he jumped from a bluff known as China Wall in Lake Natoma and never resurfaced. The Drowning Accident Rescue team retrieved Isaacson’s body from the water about 7 p.m. Sunday, about two hours after he dove into the lake.

Isaacson’s father Sam Isaacson said Cody will be remembered for his smile.

“He had this smile that brightened the day,” Sam said Tuesday. “He constantly was helping people, just being there.”

Sam said his son lived for adventure. He enjoyed wakeboarding, jet skiing, quading and also went skydiving. But he also had a big heart, his mother Stacey Winters said.

“He had the best personality ever,” she said. “Everybody loved him. He was a jokester and he was loud.”

“He just wanted to be heard,” Cody’s stepmother Robyn Isaacson added with a smile.

In addition to a love of adventure, Cody was looking forward to taking an auto shop class next year and had plans to eventually work with his father as a contractor, Sam said.

Manny Rodriguez, assistant principal at Whitney High School, where Cody was a junior, said the school’s small gymnasium was opened up to students, giving them the opportunity to write letters to their fellow classmate and friend.

“A lot of kids just like to get some sort of closure,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez called Cody outgoing and a loyal friend to many.

“Cody had a smile on his face, but he was a little more cautious,” he said. “Somewhat of a happy-go-lucky young man, he enjoyed his friends.”

The notes to Cody will be given to the Isaacson family, Rodriquez said.

The school had visits from the Placer County Chaplains earlier this week and counselors were on hand to help assist students with the loss of one of their fellow students.

Sam said Cody’s friends were a big part of his life.

“He loved them just as much as us,” Sam said.

On Cody’s myspace page, his personal quote reads “live life to your fullest” and many of his friends have remembered Cody with “R.I.P. Cody Isaacson” written next to their names.

Robyn said a group of Whitney students are making T-shirts to remember Cody and a carwash will be held within the next few days to raise money to assist the family with the costs of the service.

“It was their way of saying goodbye,” Robyn said.

Rodriquez said it’s obvious Cody will be missed at Whitney High School.

“I just picture him, his blue eyes and his great smile,” he said.

For Rich Winters, Cody’s stepfather, he said he would remember Cody’s personality most.

“He can talk to a 7-year-old and a 70-year-old,” Rich said. “That’s the thing – he can ham it up. He’s a social butterfly.”

Information regarding services for Cody Isaacson will be posted as they become available.