Col. Benton Glenn Dishman Jr.

Retired Colonel Benton G. Dishman Jr. "Glenn", age 85, husband of Peggy Nelson Dishman, died Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center. Born in Flint, Michigan, he was the son of Benton Glenn Dishman and Opal Cole Dishman of Frankfort, Kentucky. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Cole Dishman.

His career in the Air Force included both enlisted and officer service. Glenn enlisted in the Air Force at age 17 and was a member of the Air Defense Command Rifle Team; received the Air Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal; and received the Outstanding Educational Achievement Award. At age 20, he was the youngest Sergeant in the Alaskan Air Command. Selected for officer training, he was a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned a Lieutenant, USAF.

Colonel Dishman's officer career included many endeavors and assignments. As an officer he served in various command and staff assignments throughout the world. He was a squadron, a group, and a base commander at various bases; and served as an Intelligence Officer on the Air Staff in Washington, DC. He was an aviator, and served in Vietnam, England, California, Texas and Japan; and was twice selected for early promotion ahead of his peers. He attributed his many successes to the love, support and involvement of Peggy and daughter, Lesa.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; and etc.

Colonel Dishman graduated from UK, received a MPA from Auburn University, and completed post-graduate work at the University of Chicago while serving as a Research Fellow. He was a graduate of the Air Command & Staff College and the National Defense University one year Resident Programs.

On retirement, Glenn was a professor at Midway College for 20 years where he received the highest student evaluations and was selected for the Faculty Award of Excellence.

He was a member of the UK Alumni Association, American Legion, Military Officer Association, Air Force Association, 633d Special Operations Association, and the 362d Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Association.

Glenn was a judge in the Annual Concours d'Elegance Car Show and was a longtime member of the Lexington Tennis Club, where he will miss his many friends.

Survivors, other than his wife Peggy include daughter Lesa (Rob) Wehrle; grandchildren, Carlisle (Shelby Nash) Perry and Zach Schoner; great-grandsons, Hayes Perry and Layne Perry; bonus grandchildren, Leigh (Nathan Spaw) Middleton, Laura (Dylan) Wilson and Ben (Meghan) Wehrle; and bonus great-grandchildren, Greyson Middleton, Olivia Middleton, Reiny Wehrle and Riley Spaw.

Visitation will be held at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home- Harrodsburg Road, Lexington at 9:30 am, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 am on Monday, March 9, 2026. Burial will be at 1:30 pm Monday at Camp Nelson National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Glenn's memory to Veterans Program Trust Fund, 100 Veterans Drive, Wilmore, Kentucky, 40390.