From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Samuel Jones is recognized as the first African American television newsman in Lexington, KY. He joined WLEX (Channel 18) [now LEX18] in 1970 as a part-time newscaster and as a producer-moderator of the community problems show, Focus on Minorities. [The minority public affairs show was the second of its kind; an earlier show had aired on WTVQ (then Channel 62).]

Jones also handled special assignments and weekend news, and covered the burial of Whitney Young, Jr. on national hookup. He had also worked in radio from 1956 to 1958 and had a position with WLAP-FM [now Mix94.5 (WMXL)] in 1964. Jones was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He was a graduate of old Dunbar High School in Lexington, and attended the University of Kentucky where he majored in radio and television arts. It was due to the efforts of CORE and the Urban League that minorities were hired in Lexington television.

Samuel Jones was born in Lexington, KY, the son of Dentley and Louella Gaines Jones. He is buried at Evegreen Memorial Gardens on Paris Pike.

Initial information for this entry was submitted by B. Jones, with additional information gathered from Sam Jones and WLEX, and forwarded by Ken Kurtz of WKYT (Channel 27). For more, see Samuel Jones' obituary in the Lexington Herald-Leader, January 15, 2013, p.A8, or at legacy.com.