Ian Jones entered Melbourne University from Melbourne High School and his academic achievements included winning the Acheson Prize and coming in the top three in his MB BS finals. Following graduation he served as an RMO at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1941 and then joined the army as a captain in the AAMC. His army career encompassed service as an RMO in the 34 Heavy AA Battalion in the Torres Straights force from 1942 to 1943 and MO with ANGAU in New Guinea from 1943 to 1946.

In 1946 he spent an additional year as an RMO at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and was subsequently appointed an assistant physician to that hospital in 1950 until 1952. In 1952 he was appointed honorary physician to outpatients at Prince Henry's Hospital, Melbourne, subsequently becoming inpatient physicians in 1963 until his death. In 1953 he had spent six months at the Brompton Hospital to further his major interest of respiratory medicine. His publications included "Infection with Salmonella Blegdam amongst natives" co-authored with Frank Fenner in (Medical journal of Australia, 1947, 2, 356-62) and "Illness in twins: sarcoidosis" co-authored with RK Doig (ibid, 1958, 2, 114-7).

Ian was one of the most thorough and caring physicians it was ever my privilege to know, beloved and respected by all who had contact with him. He was one of the very few people I have known about whom I never heard uttered an unkind word. He was noted for his very long ward rounds but his RMOs and registrars never complained because of the great deal they learned from him. Despite a series of myocardial infarcts, he continued to maintain an active professional and social life till his final collapse in the surf at Anglesea, followed by his death a few days later. He left a widow, Hazel, and seven children, three girls and four boys, one of the latter having followed his father's profession and practising as a country GP.