A fourth generation Texan from Scurry County, Jack Terry showed early art talent and learned to paint from his grandmother. When he was 12, he was encouraged by Dalhart Windberg.

Terry attended the University of Texas but majored in Journalism.  Continuing to paint, he studied anatomy with Melvin Warren, perspective with James Boren, and landscape from Porfiriou Salinas.  From Edouard Cortes' work, he became a painter of street scenes.

He was named Bicentennial Artist of Texas and painted the portrait of Texas politician, Lyndon Johnson.  He also combined ranching with painting, doing chores each day on his ranch near Kerrville.