A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Jack Burton graduated from West End High School in 1963, where he lettered in football, wrestling, baseball, and track. Jack received a baseball scholarship to Mississippi State University where he played on two SEC championship teams. Jack eventually transferred to the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB), where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees. While attending Mississippi State in 1965, Jack began his wrestling officiating career. This was the beginning of an officiating and coaching career spanning more than 50 years. In 1967, Jack established the Birmingham Wrestling Officials Association, the first Alabama High School Athletics Association (AHSAA)-recognized wrestling officials association in Alabama. Jack started with three officials in 1967, and gradually built the association to more than 30 officials by the time he ended his officiating career in 1997. During his 32-year officiating career, Jack called 32 high school state tournaments, and was selected as Official-of-the-Year numerous times. Jack also officiated for the SEC from 1973-79. In 1997, Jack received the Distinguished Service Award from the AHSAA for his many years of service and leadership in wrestling officiating. After Jack retired from officiating, he began his wrestling coaching career. Jack coached at Erwin High School for eight years from 1997-2005. While at Erwin, Jack coached numerous state champions, and his 1999 team went undefeated and won the Class 5A State Championship. In 2005, Jack moved to Hewitt-Trussville High School, where he has coached for the last 12 years. While at Hewitt, Jack also coached numerous state champions and helped lead Hewitt to several top five finishes in the state tournament. Jack and his wife, Lynne, have been married for 15 years. Jack has three daughters: Lori, Kim, and Mandy; and several grandchildren.