John Delmar Hughes

Lexington, KY John Delmar Hughes, 82, died peacefully in his home on Saturday, December 9, 2017. He was born at Dunham, Kentucky and was preceded in death by his parents, Thurman and Gladys, his brother, Francis, and his wife, Rosemary. He is survived by his brothers, Lowell (Marta) and Paul (Bonnie), his children John (Carol), Suzan and Shari (Ben), and their mother Rhodella - nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, special friends Jill and Dee, and his loyal dog, Janie. He attended Prestonsburg High School and was a multiple sports star there, and the University of Kentucky on a football scholarship where he played for Bear Bryant and Blanton Collier. He also played other college sports at UK, and he was Commandant of Cadets of Air Force ROTC at UK. He later earned an MBA at Arizona State University, and a graduate degree in Strategic Studies at National Defense University in Washington, DC with his friend and classmate, Colin Powell. He served a distinguished career in the U. S. Air Force as a jet fighter pilot, including two combat tours over Vietnam, and several command positions, including as Base Commander of Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV. He earned numerous medals while in the USAF including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the National Defense Superior Service Medal. Funeral Information A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 16th at the Maple Grove Cemetery on Main Street in downtown Nicholasville, KY.