Born in Noblesville, Indiana, Lawrence Jones attended North High School in Columbus and, in 1919, enrolled in the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University, graduating with a bachelor of civil engineering degree in 1923. In 1924 he joined the engineering faculty, an appointment he held for 37 years. By 1943, he was a full professor.

Professor Jones served as Secretary of the College of Engineering from 1929 to 1958. During World War II, he served as the Coordinator of the Army Specialized Training Program at Ohio State. In 1954 he was appointed Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, a position he held with distinction for five years. Professor Jones subsequently worked in the Office of the President. Lawrence Jones was described as a quiet man who performed his duties unobtrusively and who extended leadership behind the scenes without fanfare and without seeking personal glory.