Jack Fires on-track accident occurred at River Downs on May 17, 1977 at the young age of 21. While exercising a horse during morning training, his horse broke down and fell, then rolled over on top of him. He fractured his T-4 & T-5 vertebrae, putting pressure on his spinal cord which left him paralyzed from the waist down. He's been a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair for over 45 years.

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Jack was raised in Rivervale, Arkansas and comes from a large horse racing family. He is one of eleven children, nine boys and two girls. Eight of the brothers went into the horse racing business. His brother Earlie Fires is a retired Hall of Fame jockey. His brother William (Jinks) Fires was a jockey and has been a thoroughbred trainer or over 50 years.

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Following in both his brother's footsteps, Jack began his riding career a Santa Anita Park when he was 16 years old. He would go on to ride a various race tracks around the country during a five year career. Jack says, "When I was growing up, all I remember was I wanted to be a jockey."  Coming from a racing family, He knew the risks of being a jockey.

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Since 2006, Jack has served on the Board of Directors of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and Disabled Jockeys Endowment. He has also served on the Disabled Jockeys Committee. In 2017, Jack received the Ron Turcotte Courage Award at the Jockeys Guild Annual Assembly. As well as a PDJF Board Member, Jack is a beneficiary. He says, "Getting a monthly stipend helps pay for medical supplies and ordinary house bills. I appreciate everyone who donates and supports the PDJF." He continues to represent the PDJF at numerous events across the county to help raise awareness and funds.

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Jack has been married to his wife Janie for 39 years. They have two grown daughters and one granddaughter.