Jack was an Air Force veteran of WWII, and a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down. He received a doctorate in education in 1971. He taught at elemenatry schools before serving as assistant superintendent in Coos Bay, from 1969-1976 and then was superintendent of the Sandy High School District from 1976-1983. Jack was superintendent and principal of the Butte School District from 1983 until his retirement in 1989.