Jeffrey Christian Nuckolls, Clarksville, age 51, died at his residence on January 3, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jeff is survived by his mother, Cheryl Morgan Barton, and stepfather, Ted Barton, of Clarksville, TN; his sisters, Emily Nuckolls Vaughn of Cumberland City, and Mary Kathryn Barton Bryant (Cullen) of Cunningham; his beloved niece and nephew, Elizabeth Bryant and Eli Vaughn, and his constant canine companion, Pokey. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Watson Nuckolls, of Adams; his maternal grandparents, Cecil and Mary Morgan Sr. of Cunningham; his paternal grandparents, Rudolph and Audrey Nuckolls of Bolivar; and his brother-in-law, Hart Thomas Vaughn of Cumberland City.
Jeff was born on February 26, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Montgomery Central High School in 1989 and Austin Peay State University with a degree in Communications and Information Systems. Jeff was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Music has always been an integral part of Jeff’s life, and he was a member of several bands over the years. In high school, he played the saxophone and was in the drumline of the Montgomery Central High School marching band. His first stage experience was as the drummer with Anonymous, a group of great friends at MCHS. In his early years at Austin Peay State University, he and a group of college friends formed the band, A Pack of Crazed Dogs (POCD) which had a large local following and could be found playing in empty warehouses on most weekends. One practice and performance space eventually became The Warehouse Bar and Grill, where he created opportunities for others to enjoy live music in Clarksville. He later moved to Atlanta and became a member of the popular Neil Diamond tribute band The Hot August Knights. His greatest joy came from touring the United States playing music and seeing the country as a member of the Memphis-based band Giant Bear. After settling down from touring, he served in different marketing and communication positions, but eventually found his greatest passion in recent years as a private music teacher with a host of students of all ages with a special focus on serving those on the autism spectrum.
Friends and family are invited to gather for a Celebration of Life at The Tanglewood House in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. We invite all those who loved Jeff to bring stories to share, pictures of your adventures and all musicians are invited to bring their instruments to celebrate with song. A service is scheduled at Trinity Episcopal Church on Monday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made one of the following music charities: Save the Music is a foundation that provides instruments and music education for students. Musicians Foundation provides financial grants to musicians in specific periods of need, crisis, and transition can apply for a grant through our comprehensive online application. Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing physical or mental health issues, disability, or age-related problems.