Kenneth Jones served as Sports Editor of the Peoria Journal Star for over four decades and in the process played a major role in shaping athletics in Central Illinois.

A lifelong journalist, he covered the local and national sports scene for 45 years and was presented the Neve Harms Meritorious Award by the Ad Club for his outstanding contribution to the betterment of athletics in Central Illinois.

A Bradley trackman, he began his writing career in Des Moines but joined the staff of the old Peoria Star in 1920 and became sports editor of the Peoria Journal Transcript in 1924.

Under his direction, such major local sporting events as the men's and women's city golf tournaments began, and for years he directed a Golden Gloves tournament that ranked with the largest in the Midwest. He was elected President of the Golden Gloves of America in 1950. He also originated the first of the junior baseball leagues in 1925, and those leagues continued for 25 years before being taken over by the Peoria Park Board.

Over the years, he covered many national sporting events and was on hand when Bradley began its move into big-time collegiate basketball in the mid 1930's under coach A. J. Robertson. Jones retired Jan. 1, 1965.