April 30, 2007
REST IN PEACE
James H. Nuxoll of Fresno, Calif., died Monday, April 30, 2007, in Fresno CA. He was 74.
Jim was born Feb. 12, 1933, in Greencreek, to the late Francis J. and Marie Antoinette Nuxoll. He grew up on the farm and wheat ranch in Greencreek and attended schools there.
He went on to attend Gonzaga University, Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon, St. Edward's Seminary and St. Thomas Seminary in Washington state, where he received his Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1958. He also attended graduate schools at the University of Idaho and Chapman College, where he received his counseling degree.
As a priest he was assigned to St. Mary's in Boise, St. Joseph's Orphanage in Torrington, Wyo., Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Mountain Home, Idaho, and as a chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Nampa, while teaching at Bishop Kelly High School in Boise. Also in Boise, Jim taught medical ethics and psychology at St. Alphonsus School of Nursing.
He spent the last five years of his priesthood as a chaplain in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to bases in Alabama and Mississippi, as a circuit rider to radar sites in Labrador, Newfoundland, Greenland and Iceland, and finally to Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif. He also acted as mental health officer when visiting the radar sites.
He then resigned from the Air Force and from the priesthood. He married Janet Puckett and they had one son, Christian. Jim moved to Monterey, Calif., and helped set up the alcohol and drug counseling program at Fort Ord. In 1976, he and his family moved to Fresno, where Jim worked as a labor relations specialist and employee assistance coordinator at the Internal Revenue Service until he retired on Dec. 31, 1999.
Jim was very active in his church. He was one of the founding members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He served as a lector, eucharistic minister, and an usher at the church. He was also on the building committee. His pride and joy, however, was as a member of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Team for 17 years. Under their direction, over 300 people entered the church over the years. After retirement, Jim worked as a volunteer in the food warehouse at Catholic Charities serving the poor. He also wrote the weekly Liturgy Box in the church bulletin.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Merwyn and Adrian.
Jim leaves the love of his life, his wife Janet; son, Christian; brothers, Wesley of Colfax and Elred of Cottonwood; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary was held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Thursday, May 3, 2007.
A memorial Mass was celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, May 4, 2007. A private graveside service was conducted for family only.
In lieu of flowers, Jim requested that Masses be said for the repose of his soul. Any remembrances may be made to the Poverello House or Hinds Hospice.
James joined CORPUS in 1970.