Jack Joe was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1942. His father had immigrated as a paper son and his mother, as a mail order bride. He grew up in a nearby town, Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Along with his parents, his three brothers, and two other Chinese families, he lived in a large "supermarket" that sold groceries among other goods and services. He attended the University of Houston. While completing his degree, he was drafted and served at bases in the US during the Vietnam War. After his service, he began work at Texas Commerce Bank (now JP Morgan Chase Bank) to support his wife and newborn daughter. He was employed there until he retired at the age of 57. Currently, he is involved in a number of community organizations such as the Chinese Professional Club, Chinese American Citizens Alliance - Houston Lodge, Houston Taipei Society, and Texas Asian Republican Club.
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