John Wesley Claver Jones (November 12, 1949 – March 5, 1991), was an American journalist who became the first African-American news anchor in the Philadelphia television market.
Described by KYW-TV weatherman Tom Lamaine in 1991 as "a profile in courage and encouragement to those who" were "afflicted with cancer," Jack Jones was also praised by longtime Philadelphia mayor Frank Rizzo, who said, "I was absolutely amazed at his courage—at what he did and how he did it."
"[1] According to veteran Philadelphia news anchor Larry Kane, Jones "loved to cover politics" and "was able to get a lot of stories that other people couldn't get.
Jones covered the 1985 MOVE bombing from Osage Avenue, where he was noted for his coolness and clarity under pressure, often facing gunfire during live shots.
Ailing by 1989 but not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer until the fall of 1990, Jones continued to work on air at KYW-TV as he underwent chemotherapy treatment for the disease.