Jack McPhedran was born in Stonewall, Manitoba, on November 26, 1924. World War II and a stint in the RCAF interrupted his high school education; however, he returned to his studies and went on to graduate as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1950.

He immediately established a general veterinary practice in Neepawa, Manitoba, serving that community until 1967. After this he worked for Agriculture Canada for two years and then became Director of the Veterinary Services Branch of the Manitoba Department of Agriculture in 1969, a position he held for 22 years. He also found time to be a valued member of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Advisory Council for many years. He was confered with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa by the University of Saskatchewan in 1993.

Jack passed away peacefully on February 26, 2010 in Qualicum Beach, BC.