The big voice, the big personality. Jimmy Jones (January 25, 1933 – April 20, 1995) is one of Oregon's greatest sportscasting legends. For 20 years as sports director for KPTV Channel 12 in Portland, Jimmy Jones remained one of the most recognized figures in Oregon sports.
Jones worked at KPTV during the time when the station pioneered live coverage of sporting events led by future Trail Blazer director George Wasch. Jimmy covered virtually every major sporting activity in Oregon including sports involving both the University of Oregon and Oregon State, the Portland Buckaroos in hockey, the Portland Timbers in soccer, and the Trail Blazers. Jimmy would announce a Trail Blazer game at Memorial Coliseum, then return to KPTV studios to deliver highlights and scores on the station's newscast. Jones was the TV voice of the Trail Blazers for 13 years, then moved to Seattle when the SuperSonics started their own in-house produced broadcasts.
Jimmy thought he might be retired when Northwest Cable Sports (later Prime Sports NW/Fox Sports NW) launched in 1988. One year later he was back on the air Oregon, broadcasting Oregon State events. He remained the lead television voice of the Beavers until his passing in 1995.
Jimmy Jones was named Oregon Sportscaster of the Year seven times during his time in the state.