Jack graduated from Michigan State University in 1952 with a degree in business. In addition to his numerous successful business ventures, Jack is active in many business and civic organizations. He is past-President of the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce and a founder of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Wichita State University. He is a trustee of Innkeepers Real Estate Investment Trust and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Youth for Understanding, the world's leading student exchange organization. He is a former Board Member of the Wesley Medical Endowment Foundation and the Greater Wichita Community Foundation. In 1990, he spearheaded the movement to renovate downtown Wichita. In 1992, he was given the highest recognition by the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, "The Uncommon Citizen" award, and in 1997 was inducted into the Wichita Business Hall of Fame. In 1999, Jack was included in The National Registry of Who's Who. In January 2001, he received UCLA's Hotel Industry Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jack began his career selling real estate during the summers while in high school in Kalamazoo, MI. Following two years as a Military Police Officer during the Korean War, he teamed up with his father to build homes in southern Michigan. In 1966, Jack began building apartments and by 1973, his company had built over 16,000 apartments in 30 cities across 25 states. National Real Estate Investor recognized DeBoer as the "second-largest multi-family developer in the United States." He also planned and assembled the property for a 4,000 acre planned unit development on the northeast side of Wichita called Comotara.
In 1975, he designed and built the first Residence Inn all-suite hotel located in downtown Wichita. He was a pioneer in the all-suite hotel concept and he built or franchised 100 hotels before selling The Residence Inn Company to Marriott Corporation in 1987.
In 1988, Jack co-founded Summerfield Hotel Corporation, a second- generation upscale all-suite hotel chain that has, to date, developed 30 hotels. He served as Co-Chairman of Summerfield's Board of Directors, in addition to serving as Chairman of the Board and President of Express Designs, Inc. In 1993, he resigned as Co-Chairman of Summerfield. In 1995, he founded Candlewood Hotel Company, Inc. and was Chairman and CEO of the all suite hotel chain until its purchase by Intercontinental Hotels Group in December 2003.
In 1989, he and a partner purchased Hix Corporation in Pittsburg, Kansas, where Jack now serves as Chairman of the Board. Hix is the premier manufacturer of printing equipment utilized worldwide by the imprinted sportswear industry. He is also a partner in Manning & Smith, a national insurance agency insuring over 1,400 hotels.