A native Oklahoman, Jean Everest was born in 1918, the son of Harvey P. and Ruth J. Everest. He was educated in the Oklahoma City Public School system, graduated from Yale University and attended Harvard Business School. During World War II, he served five years with the Pacific fleet as a member of the Naval Reserve.
Mr. Everest married Janell Law in 1946, and in 1956, the couple purchased Mid-Continent News Company from his father. Under his management, the magazine distributorship quadrupled in size. He served as the company's CEO until 1975.
Mr. Everest served as a Trustee of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation from 1975-84, also serving in the role of president. He was a supporter of numerous charitable organizations including the Oklahoma Zoological Society and Casady School. Mr. Everest died in 1994, but the endowment fund he established at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation in 1970 continues to support his charitable interests.