John Nuckolls

John D. Nuckolls

John Nuckolls, 67, of Billings and Missoula, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August, 29th, 2024 in Billings, MT. John was born in Franklin, IN, on October 23rd, 1956 to Frank and Lois Nuckolls. He grew up and attended school in Missoula, graduating from Sentinel High School in June of 1974. At the age of 19 he joined the US Army where he served for 4 years before he was honorably discharged. Later he enlisted in the Army National Guard where he served from 1984 to 1990 when he received a second honorable discharged.

In 1979 John met Jeannie Wooley whom he would later wed in 1981 in Coeur d’ Alene, ID. In 1983 they welcome their daughter Aubrey. A few years later they welcome their son Jason in 1985. They resided and raised their children in Missoula, MT. Later divorcing in 1999.

John moved to Billing, MT in 1999 for work where he met his current wife, Sandy Koch. They were married in 2006 in Las Vegas, NV.

From the mid-1980s until his retirement in 2019 John worked in the asbestos abatement industry in Montana. Most of his career was spent working with his friends at Environmental Contractors and later for his best friend, Steve Schroeder, at Schroeder Contracting. While he enjoyed retirement, he cherished spending the last 4.5 years working at Montana Deconstruction Services and Montana Excavation Services alongside his son and the guys.

Some of John’s favorite things to do were camping and fishing at Fort Peck Reservoir with his wife Sandy and friends Chris and Brenda Weber. John and Sandy enjoyed watching all things motor sports, including their trips to watch NASCAR live. He never missed an opportunity to support his children and grandchildren in their many activities. You could hear him cheering loud at many little league games, wrestling tournaments, dance recitals, and Griz football games. He was also an avid Raiders fan. John never liked to miss out on a good time.

John was preceded in death by his parents Frank Nuckolls and Lois Guenzler, step father Fred Guenzler, brothers David Nuckolls and Frank Nuckolls Jr., and in-laws Lois and Tony Zampedri and Bill and Jan Wooley. He’s survived in death by his wife Sandy Nuckolls, children Aubrey (Tyler) Boaz, Jason (Christina) Nuckolls, step children Julius and Tiersa Koch, sisters Linda Paisley and Cheryl (Dan) Giese, brother Gary (Glenda) Nuckolls, grandchildren Rylie, Wyatt, and Colt Nuckolls, Tycen and Teagen Boaz, Naima Cavanaugh-Koch, and Markus and Annelyse Koch. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great friends.

A service will be held to honor John on Saturday, September 14th at 11 am at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula. A reception, immediately following the service, will be held at the Eagles Lodge. Please feel free to wear your favorite Griz attire.