John I. Gifford, 92, of Rock Island, passed Monday, October 3, 2022, at UPH-Trinity, Rock Island. Private graveside service will be held at National Cemetery, Rock Island. John was born on July 23, 1930 in Lockport, NY, the son of John J. and Carrie (McAdam) Gifford. He received a BS in 1952 and an MS in 1956 from Purdue University and was a 1st Lt. in the US Army from 1952-1954 and he served in Korea. He married Sara "Jane" Bauer on January 28, 1955, in Chicago. John retired from John Deere Co. after working 39 ½ years as an economist and Manager of Data Services in the Market Economics Department. He was devoted to his family and was an avid reader, loved jazz and classical music and collecting coins. He was on the Board of Directors of the  Rock Island Easter Seals Foundation and Active in Rock Island Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball, and he received Leadership Recognition from the Equipment Manufacturers Institute. John was active in the American Agricultural Economist Association, the National Association of Business Economists, the Equipment Manufacturers Association, the Farm and Industrial Equipment Institute, the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the Engine Manufacturers Association, the International Farm Tractor Committee, and the International Harvesting Equipment Committee (chairman 1994-1995). John is survived by his wife, Jane Gifford; sons, John and James (Nicole) Gifford); and grandson, Giancarlo Gifford. He was preceded in death by his parents.