Gary grew up working, starting as a paper boy at age 12. He then began working at a Mexican restaurant – he was washing dishes at 13, became assistant cook, and at 15 was named head night cook.  Jones learned to balance school and work at an early age all while participating in both baseball and football.

In 1973 Gary went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone, once again managing work and school, as he was a full time student while being employed fulltime by Bell at the age of 18. Jones was promoted into management with Bell at 20 where he supervised over 100 telephone operators and managed the computerized scheduling system in the Lawton office. At 21 Gary was promoted again to Bell state headquarters in Oklahoma City to work in the office of planning and budgets, where he conducted independent cost studies and supervised a staff that compiled and analyzed the results.

Jones left SW Bell at 28 after 10 years to start a small telecommunications company with one part time employee. They grew the company to over 40 employees with locations in Oklahoma and Texas. Being the owner and manager of a small business taught Gary the responsibility and challenges that face business owners as they strive to grow and prosper. After 16 years Gary sold the business to pursue other ventures.

In 1994 Gary ran for Comanche County Commissioner against a 10 year incumbent. Jones chose to not take campaign contributions and was able to win despite being outspent 3 to 1. As commissioner Gary was able to apply his business experience and accounting knowledge to show that government can be run more efficiently and effectively. During his 4 year term his district constructed 34 new bridges all steel and concrete, the most in state history.

Jones played a key role in making Comanche County the driving force in economic development in Southwest Oklahoma helping bring 1000 new jobs to the county. Jones worked to ensure that all county business was open and transparent and that decisions were made that benefit the majority of citizens and not special interests.

In 2002 Gary ran for the office of State Auditor and Inspector where he received almost 49% of the vote while being outspent almost 2 to 1. In 2006 Gary ran for the office of state auditor a second time again getting over 48% of the vote. After the 2006 election Gary’s opponent was indicted, convicted in federal court, and sentenced to 8 years in prison for bribery and conspiracy involving a scheme to steal the 2002 election.   
  
Gary Jones was elected Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman in January 2003 and served as the longest serving Chairman and Executive Director in the history of the party before resigning to make a third run for State Auditor in June 2010. Gary has the distinction of serving as Chairman at the time Republicans won majorities in both the Oklahoma House and the Oklahoma Senate.

Gary Jones is both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). He is also active in farming and ranching and has run a cow-calf operation for over 30 years.

Gary and his wife of 33 years, Mary Jane, a kindergarten teacher at Cache Public Schools, reside on their farm southwest of Cache.  They have two grown children, son Chris who works in Lawton and is a member of the Marine Corps Reserves and daughter Kelly, a math teacher at Cache High school and her husband Brian Gilland. Gary and Mary Jane have three grandchildren, Blake 6, Lauren 4 and Olivia, born in June 2010.

Gary and Mary Jane have attended First Methodist Church in Cache for the past 30 years where they have been involved in youth programs, taught Sunday school, and served on the pastor-parish committee and as chairman of the board of trustees.

Gary has served on or has been a member of: Oklahoma Society of Public Accountants; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; National, Oklahoma and Comanche County Cattlemen's Associations; Comanche County Industrial Development Authority; Cache Economic Development Authority; and the advisory board for the Oklahoma State University-OKC public service degree program.