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His first job took him to another well-known Washington name, Modern Auto.
"I greased cars, changed oil and tightened nuts and bolts," Jones said.
Jones was drafted into the U. S. Army. When he returned to Washington in 1943, Jones began driving a route selling candy and cigarettes and fixing pinball machines, he said.
Afterward, he went into business for himself.
Jones bought into a bottled gas company and Jones Gas was created.
The business was located at Fifth and Jefferson streets where the city's library is today, said Jones' son, Roger.
The business sold bottled gas, televisions, radios, sinks, furniture, Universal gas ranges, gas refrigerators and more.
Roger Jones said he remembers playing in the store as a kid, helping out as needed.
During an era when only about half of American homes had televisions, Jones' store had a TV set in the window and an exterior speaker.
The display attracted small crowds throughout the day.
Standing in front of the store one day himself, Jones saw a bus driving by.
"I was talking with Sylvester Brinker, who was selling gas for me, one afternoon and a bus turned the corner," Jones said.
"I said to him 'Someone ought to be able to make a go of that,' " he said.
Brinker, who also worked as a bus driver, told Jones the company was for sale.
"A year later I bought the Washington, Union and St. Clair bus company from Burt Simms," Jones said.
Jones' bus company, which has been around since 1927, began with only six buses.
Today, the company's fleet includes a number of buses of several different sizes.
The first buses had no restrooms and no air conditioning. The company was a regular route business, running between Washington and St. Louis.
From that time in 1957 it only took three years until Jones was looking to expand.
Competition from regular route businesses in St. Louis forced him to look outside the area.
In 1960, Jones bought Louisiana Coaches and combined the two companies to create Mid-American Coaches.
By the time of the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, his company had expanded to include two air-conditioned coaches.
Jones operated two tours to the fair where the Seattle Space Needle was built.
Over the years Jones also has made over 20 trips to Alaska, which he said is his favorite destination.
"In driving through Alaska, you'd go through a lot of wooded areas and see a lot of wildlife," he said.
Buses would be loaded onto a train car to make the trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks and would travel by ferry for part of the trip.
Locally, popular trips have included baseball games at Busch Stadium, the Passion play in Bloomingdale, Ill., and Silver Dollar City in Branson.
Jones also began driving local people to the annual pro-life rally held each year in Washington, D.C., to mark the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling.
Jones is perhaps best known locally, however, for driving high school classes from Union and New Haven on their class trips for many years.
The weeklong trips would take high school seniors to Washington, D.C., New York and Niagra Falls, Jones said.
Mid-American has provided buses for singers Liberace and Johnny Mathis. The company also has worked on and maintained the buses for other touring musicians and charter companies.
Jones worked over the years to expand his business with more tours and buses.
"I've never known anyone more dedicated to his work. He was always working," said son Roger, current president of Mid-American.
"He always was a stickler on maintenance and that's continued today," he said. "He expected a lot out of his employees and commanded a lot of respect.
"He's a recognized name in the industry," he said.
Jones' wife Helen agreed.
"He would always get compliments on the state of the buses," she said.
The company moved from its old location at Fifth and Elm streets to its current location in 1974.
"Busses have changed over the years," Jones said, reflecting on the business.
The company's first buses had stepstools on board to help passengers on and off. The ones today have integrated steps which can lower with the press of a button.
Current buses have wireless Internet and video systems.
The company's first bus cost about $45,000, Jones said.
New buses reach around $245,000, Roger Jones said.
Jones also has been a member of the Washington Elks for many years and for a short time served on the Washington Volunteer Fire Department.
His company has supported the Washington Town and Country Fair over the years, providing bus services for queen contestant candidates.
Occasionally, Mid-American is called on to help the local fire departments with its buses to provide firefighters a break from the extreme heat or cold while on a scene.
The company has been in presidential motorcades, made countless school trips and helped with private business functions.
When Rodney "Rocky" Sickmann returned from Iran after his 444 days as a hostage, it was Jones' company which bussed the marine home.
In addition to the plethora of sights, Jones said he has worked with many quality people over the years.
Carl Doyle worked as a mechanic and driver. Harold Monzyk worked as a part-time mechanic before he became shop foreman for the company. Leonard Helton drove with the company for over 40 years.
Gertrude Lefmann was a tour guide and bookkeeper. Margo Roberts headed up tours with the company for many years.
Jones' first wife Dorothy, who passed away in 1985, worked as a bookkeeper as well, as did his second and current wife, Helen.
