Born in Leigh, Nebraska, June 13, 1905, he graduated from high school in Beatrice, followed by enrollment in the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

[1] An athletic man who stood 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall, he broke the world's discus throw record in 1929 at the Drake Relays.

He instead pursued a career in the US Army's Field Artillery Branch, after an instructor pilot made comment on his size, being very large and heavy for the aircraft of the day.

Just prior to the US entry into World War II, he was the Director of Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

[5] Jark died on March 22, 1984, at his home in San Antonio, Texas, and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.