2022 Honoree
While the broadcast career of Sam Jones began in 1970 in Ft. Smith, Ark., he is a legend today in Tulsa, Okla. He started working in radio and television in Ark. He was a reporter, and weekend anchor for KTHV-TV, then promoted as prime anchor and assistant news director. He eventually began to file stories for both KTHV-TV and CBS News, and was then recruited to work at KJRH-TV Tulsa in 1981 as evening anchor. He covered city and county government, with a goal to tell stories about the treasures of Oklahoma and their people.
Sam quickly became known as a man who not only anchored the news, but as a skilled reporter who knew how to ask tough questions and find answers. He continues to pass his knowledge on to those wanting to learn about true journalism. His documentary, “Spirit of the Fire,” chronicled the Western Oklahoma life of Native American Keetoowah society, with interviews and conversations translated from Cherokee so viewers could understand the processes and words. The Smithsonian museum houses this and another of his documentaries, “Little Giant from Little Dixie.”
In 1990, he became anchor/producer of “Oklahoma Forum,” on KTFO-TV, and “Open Line” in 1992. He also wrote, produced, and anchored hour and half-hour specials. In 1994, he moved his live call-in show to KOTV-TV. Currently, he hosts and produces “Green Country Perspectives” at RSU-TV, where he received two Emmys for his programs.