Born in Texas on March 29, 1919 to Naomi and Victorie Whitehurst, Jack spent his early years in that state. He would marry Betty Crittenden and together they would have a daughter, Mary Ann.

He moved to Elko, Nevada working as an agent and railroad telegrapher on the Western Pacific Railroad. On August 31, 1952, he took a position with the Nevada Northern as a train dispatcher, relocating to East Ely. Eventually, he was promoted to the position of chief dispatcher with his office being located on the second floor of the transportation building.

He would serve in this capacity nearly to the end of operations. The same time and track authority used by the railroad during that time is still used to dispatch our trains to this day.

The photograph seen here was taken by Ted Benson on September 6, 1976 shows Jack at his desk. At this time, the future looked grim for the railroad following a shut down of the smelter by the EPA with only one train a week being dispatched. The smelter would once again resume operations for a few more years showing one last bump in traffic along the line.

Today this office is still used by the chief dispatcher and many items seen in the photo are still there. These include the clock on the wall, though it has been moved, the bulletin cabinet next to the door and the telephone and headset that his is using.

One feature of this office for decades was a clipboard of timetables dating all the way back to Timetable No. 1. When the railroad closed, the clipboard disappeared. It has since found its way home and is now a part of the archival collection.

Jack passed away on April 15, 1989 and is buried in the Ely City Cemetery.