Bethlehem ... to Seagrove: A Timeline

1933 — Roots in Bethlehem

Jack is born into a large farming family in Alexander County. It is the height of the Great Depression, and the same year the family farm is lost to foreclosure, setting the stage for a life built on hard work and perseverance.

1939 — The School Years Begin

Starts first grade at Bethlehem School. Life is centered around Duke Power rental farm and later the “Bowman Farm.” The daily rhythms of living on a farm in a rural area instill early lessons in the value of community and family.

1952 – 1956 — Navy Service & Global Horizons

Enlists in the U.S. Navy and trains as an aviation electrician. His service inlcuded being assigned on a new plane being developed for the Navy. He was on a flight in a test plane that crashed on landing. Jack describes the harrowing experience of the plane hitting a structure at 80 miles per hour, which “sheared the wings off” and left the fuselage as the only part remaining. Remarkably, Jack and the others survived the impact. He later was deployed aboard aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean. This service broadens his perspective and provides the technical foundation for his future career.

1954 — A Partnership for Life

Returns to North Carolina and marries Betty Edwards of Hickory, North Carolina. This partnership becomes the cornerstone of his personal and professional life as he begins his transition into the industrial workforce.

1960 – 1970 — The General Electric Era

Joins General Electric in Asheboro. This decade is a period of intense professional growth, highlighted by a transformative business trip to Japan that reshaped Jack’s views on manufacturing quality.

1970 — Founding Mid-State Plastics

Jack embarks on his greatest entrepreneurial venture, co-founding Mid-State Plastics in Seagrove. He builds the company into a regional leader, prioritizing a culture of respect and integrity for every employee. The company expanded with the development of a plant in Round Rock, Texas, in 1990.

1994 – Present — A Legacy of Leadership

After the sale of Mid-State Plastics in 1994 to Anchor Advanced Plastics, Jack shifts his focus to civic duty and travel with wife and friends. His leadership on boards, including Randolph Community College and Wingate University, ensure his impact continues to be felt across the state.