He was educated to intermediate level at Newcastle Boys' High School and trained as a fitter and turner.
[1][2] Sam Jones joined the Labor Party in 1945 and served as vice president and secretary of the Tighes Hill branch, vice president of Newcastle and Waratah State Electorate Councils and secretary of Newcastle Federal Electorate Council.
[1][2] Jones defeated Frank Purdue the incumbent member for the seat of Waratah at the 1965 state election by 87 votes (0.79%).
[1] During debate in the Legislative Assembly in August 1979, the member for South Coast, Mr John Hatton accused Jones of being involved in the cover-up of a horse doping scandal.
"[2] Sam Jones died in the Mater Hospital, Waratah to which he had been admitted after a stroke; he had earlier been treated for a brain tumour.