John R. Young, B.A. ’91, and his wife Traci, B.A. ’93, have made a gift to Our Tower: The Next 100 Years to honor their family’s deep history with The University of Texas at Austin — a connection that began for the Youngs with an impromptu trip nearly 65 years ago.
In April 1961, John R.’s father — John H. Young — was a high school senior in Fort Worth, with plans to attend the University of Oklahoma, just as his parents and sister had done. A trip to Austin to attend a fraternity party would change the trajectory of his life.
During the weekend, he visited the Forty Acres with a friend. “We went up to the observation deck of the Tower,” John H. recalls. “The leaves were bright green, and there were rolling hills. We could see the Capitol, and there were no other tall buildings back then. I just thought it was the prettiest place I’d ever seen.”
A few months later, he enrolled at UT with his sister, who transferred from the University of Oklahoma. “I handed the registrar my high school transcript and a check for $119.50,” John H. says. The siblings were officially Longhorns, beginning a family legacy that has spanned generations.
A Legacy Continued
Later that summer, John H. met Carolyn Josey at a University event. “When I met her, I knew I wanted to marry her,” he says. Carolyn is a third-generation Longhorn whose family connection to UT includes her grandfather, Douglas Johnson, her parents, Elva Johnson, B.A. ’38, and Jack Josey, B.S. ’39, who served as vice chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents; and her older brother, Lenoir Josey, B.A. ’64.
The couple wed in 1965, their senior year, and stayed at UT to earn additional degrees before they moved to Washington, D.C., where John earned a master’s in tax law from Georgetown University.
In 1979, John H. and Carolyn returned to Texas, settling in Houston. They founded two oil and gas businesses in Houston — John H. Young Inc. and JOY Resources Inc. — and raised their children: John R. and his sisters, Beth, B.A. ’93; and Kathleen, B.A. ’03.
“We grew up with UT as a big part of our weekends,” John R. says. “My parents remained closely connected to the University, which created a strong pull for me and my sisters.” The family tradition of finding their significant others on the Forty Acres continued: John R. met Traci at UT, and now two of their sons are fifth-generation Longhorns — with hopes that their youngest son will join them after high school.
Past, Present, Future
The Tower opened during the Great Depression. It was ambitious and gutsy — true Texas style. The iconic building stands tall in the background of celebrations and graduation photos and invites Longhorns of all ages to reminisce about the past or dream of the future.
“The Tower is a symbol of The University of Texas, and we thought it was important to ensure its preservation, bringing it back to life for the next generation of Longhorns,” John R. says. His father, John H., BBA ’65, LLB ’68, and mother Carolyn, B.S. ’65, M.A. ’67, have joined his initiative to make an impactful gift to the ongoing Tower campaign — the first major restoration of the Tower since its inception in 1937. Together, the family has committed a generous gift to support the Tower restoration.
The Tower is a symbol of The University of Texas, and we thought it was important to ensure its preservation... for the next generation of Longhorns.
Carolyn recalls what the Tower meant to her, her parents and her brother. “We loved going to the Tower. It just felt like it embodied all of The University of Texas — the games, the excitement, the learning — everything.”
John H., reflecting on the significance of his time at UT and the Tower’s lasting impact, says, “My life was built on the things I did at UT — people I met, experiences I had. It was transformative for me. I’m 81 years old and I still visit with the friends I made there.”
As the Young family looks to the future, their commitment to The University of Texas remains strong. “I think our universities are incredibly worthwhile,” says Carolyn, “and we need to support them however we can. For us, it’s something close to our hearts. It means so much to give back after all that UT has given us.”
Learn more about how you can join the effort to restore, revitalize and reimagine the Tower.
