Les Nuckolls

Les Nuckolls was a kind, funny, gentle man. He was also a world traveler, innovative educator and administrator, author, master storyteller, a champion for children, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.

Les was born in California and grew up mainly in Ventura, CA. He received a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master of Science Degree in Education from the University of Southern California. While doing doctoral studies and teaching in Ventura Unified School District he was encouraged to apply to be one of fourteen national Fulbright Scholars. Receiving one of these prestigious scholarships, he chose to teach education to college students at Kitwe College on the Congo- Zambia border.

Returning to Ventura, Les also returned to schools, this time as a principal. However, it wasn’t long before his success in Africa became known and the University of California, Los Angeles, asked him to return to Africa, this time in Lagos, Nigeria, to oversee their education and health programs. After some years in Nigeria, UCLA appointed him a Department Head responsible for all University programs conducted abroad.

Always looking towards where he could best utilize his administrative and educational talents, Les soon embarked on another adventure when he became the Superintendent for the United States Peace Corps Training Center in the U. S. Virgin Islands. He directed four island training centers with staff numbering in the thousands preparing teachers and workers for the Peace Corps worldwide.

At the end of this five-year assignment, Les once again returned to Ventura Unified, this time as a central office administrator. It was while he was in this position, that he met and married his wife, Genevieve (Genny) Nuckolls.

Adventures continued for Les and Genny when they retired to Mendocino County and worked for various newspapers under the DonRey Media Group Banner for five years.

Les and Genny moved to Roseville in 1995 and it wasn’t long before schools in the area, including the Roseville School District and Dry Creek School District, tapped Les to provide short and long-term teaching and administrative help.

Some of his most rewarding memories are of being of service to the students and staffs at these schools.

After all of life’s adventures, Les decided to write three books to entertain and guide children. He talked Genny into coauthoring the first two, but the last picture book he managed on his own. The books are Growing Up in Africa, A Boy Named Walter (autobiographical), and Chester the Chimpanzee. Utilizing these books, Les told his stories in school assemblies and answered many questions about Africa and how to set goals and accomplish great things in life.

Les is survived by his wife, Genevieve, and by his daughter, Sheri Nuckolls. His daughter, Kari Kruger, preceded him in death in 2019. Les is also survived by his granddaughters Kyla Smude (Adam) and Brittany Buss (Sean) and great grandchildren Taj, Knox, Kai, Gisele, Max, Grace, and Tristan.

A time and date for services are pending.

If you wish to make a gift in memory of Les, we suggest the Guardian Scholars Program at California State University, Sacramento at the following link: Guardian Scholars Program / Sacramento State (csus.edu) We would appreciate your designating your gift in memory of Les Nuckolls.