TIFT, John

John Tift of Sun City died on Friday, May 2, 2003 at his home at El Dorado. Born in Hutchinson, Minnesota on the 4th of July, 1919. He graduated from high school In Charles City, Iowa and attended the University of Minnesota. Tift spent nine years in the Medical Department of the U.S. Navy. During World War II he served in the Pacific Theater as a Corpsman, island hopping with the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions. His last tour was in China at war's end and he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. Tift married Marilyn O'Neill of Chicago, Illinois on November 6, 1944 at Sampson Naval Base, Geneva, N.Y. After discharge from service he owned an insurance agency for twenty years in Charles City, Iowa. In 1966 he became a partner in Crossroads Shopping Centers, Inc. developing centers in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, while residing in Minnetonka, Minnesota. In 1972 he moved to Sun City, Arizona from Minnesota. He retired after 15 years In management with O'Keefe (Red Carpet) Real Estate. Tift was an active member and past President of St. Clement's Men's Club; past President Sun City Lakeview Rotary Club; past Commander China-Burma-India Vets Association (Valley of the Sun Basha); past President Sun City Area Chapter University of Minnesota Alumni Association; past President of the Sun Cities Area Board of Realtors; past Commander American Legion Post #174; President of the Board of Directors of El Dorado of Sun City, and past member of the VFW, Elks and The Retired Officers Association. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; three Sons: John Neil Tift, Stillwater, MN; Jim C. Tift, Minnetonka, MN; and Bob C. Tift, St Louis Park, MN; one daughter Shari (Tift) Hargrave, Glendale, AZ; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and a sister, Gretchen K. Widner of Kansas City, MO. and Sun City West. AZ. A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled on Tuesday, May 6, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 15800 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ. Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are being handled through Menke Funeral Home in Sun City. At a future date, a memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Peace Chapel at Benilde-St. Margaret's School, 2501 Highway 100 So. St. Louis Park, MN. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul, MN Published in the Arizona Republic on 5/3/2003.
Posted by Diana on January 23, 2010

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