University of Tulsa alumna Barbara J. King received a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1982 and went on to pursue a satisfying and rewarding career in the field of petroleum engineering.
Barbara is the daughter of George and Frances Young, longtime residents of Tulsa who have supported her throughout her life in ways too numerous to mention, not the least of which was to encourage her in her education.
George Young, born in Chicago in 1938 and raised in New Mexico, was a man of industrious spirit and technical skill. From delivering newspapers at age six to becoming the youngest licensed contractor in New Mexico, George’s early life was defined by ambition and hard work. He served in the Air National Guard and built a 32-year career at American Airlines, retiring as an Aircraft Inspector. Along the way, he founded Suntech Machine and later Owasso Self Storage, always seeking new challenges and opportunities to build and serve. George Young passed away in March 2025.
Frances Ruth Leuthold Young was George’s lifelong partner in every endeavor, and “the prettiest girl [George] had ever seen.” Married in 1959, Frances brought grace, strength, and resourcefulness to their shared life. She is a skilled painter, construction assistant, and co-builder of their family home, where she and George raised their three children. Frances played a central role in the success of their businesses, especially Owasso Self Storage, where she worked alongside George to create a welcoming and supportive environment for customers. Her dedication to family and community is evident in every project she has undertaken.
Together, George and Frances restored a historic home in Tulsa’s Utica Square neighborhood, fulfilling a dream and creating a space filled with love and craftsmanship. They shared a passion for travel, music, history, and helping others—values they passed on to their children and grandchildren.
King wishes to honor her parents by promoting opportunity in higher education in the technical fields.
In fulfillment of this wish, Barbara J. King has committed an estate gift to The University of Tulsa to establish The George & Frances Young Engineering and Natural Sciences Scholarship Endowment Fund.
