Capt. James Frank “Jim” Nuckles, 87, died at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin on Aug. 10, 2023.
Jim was a highly decorated veteran who served in the Vietnam War and spent 20 years on active duty in the United States Air Force.
Jim was born on May 5, 1936, in Adamsville to Joseph Aaron and Lucille Alline (Champion) Nuckles.
He graduated from Lampasas High School in 1954.
Jim graduated from Texas A&M University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture education. While at A&M, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Aggie Band. Jim’s education also included a Master of Science in industrial management from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado.
Capt. Nuckles entered active duty in College Station on June 14, 1958. His assignments included Tainan, Taiwan; Las Cruces AFS, New Mexico; Pyote AFS, Texas; Birkenfeld AS, Germany; Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota; and Bergstrom AFB, Texas. From February 1971 to February 1972, he served as Operations Officer Detachment 11, 619th Tactical Control Squadron, Hon Tre Island and Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.
His decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Senior Missleman Badge and the Master Weapons Controller Badge.
Jim retired from the Air Force on June 30, 1978, in Austin, where he made his home until his death.
While stationed at Las Cruces, New Mexico, Jim met Sally Ruth McDermott of Newton, Massachusetts, and they were married in 1961. They had two sons, Michael Andrew of Green Bay, Wisconsin and Martin Matthew (deceased).
After retiring from the Air Force, Jim served as the Travis County deputy chief appraiser from July 1978 to December 2000.
Jim was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.
Throughout his life, he was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Jim spent every opportunity in the woods, regardless of the time of year because it meant spending time with lifelong friends.
Jim was always ready to get in the truck and visit Lampasas, Rocksprings, Sanderson or the Panhandle. Fall was his favorite, as it was deer season and meant it was time for Aggie football.
Jim was preceded in death by his brother Paul, sister Polly Littrell and his son Marty.
He is survived by his wife, Sally; son, Michael; granddaughters Courtney Rae, Megan Marie and Kellie Christine Nuckles of Green Bay, Wisconsin; sister, Mary Casbeer of Lampasas; and brothers W.A. Nuckles and Reuben Nuckles, also of Lampasas.
Visitation will be held Aug. 21 at 5 p.m., with rosary to follow at 7 p.m.
The funeral service will be Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. at Peel & Son Funeral Home in Austin, with interment to follow at the Smith Cemetery at School Creek in Lampasas.
A donation in Jim’s name may be made to the Texas Paralyzed Veterans of America at www. texaspva.org.
