Sandra Louise LaFrance

She was born July 3, 1944 in Texas City, Texas to Lewis Perkins “LP” Talbert and Lorena Doughty (Talbert), both of Clinton, Louisiana. Sandy attended Texas City High School in Texas City, TX and graduated in 1962. She was the humor editor of the “Stingaree Tales” school newspaper, a member of the Press Club, Literary Club, and was elected secretary-treasurer officer for the Future Nurses of America.

After high school, Sandy attended Jefferson Davis Hospital School of Nursing in Houston, TX and graduated in 1965. A year later, Sandy joined the United States Air Force, eventually becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and retiring in 1989 in Austin, Texas at the rank of Major.

In her military career, she earned several awards, including the following: Graduate, Flight Nurse School from the School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base (A.F.B.), Air Force Commendation medal, Outstanding Unit Award with three Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, Meritorious Service medal, Nation Defense medal, Overseas Long Tall Ribbon, Longevity Service award ribbon with three Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, and Air Force Training ribbon.

During her Air Force career, Sandy was stationed in the following locations: Izmir, Turkey, 1966-1968, Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX, -1981, Clark AFB, Manila, Philippines, 1981-1983, Bergstrom AFB, Austin, and TX 1983-1989.

Her proudest career accomplishments included graduating from Nursing school, Air Force flight school, becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and retiring at rank of Major at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX.

Sandy’s hobbies included reading, watching movies, cooking, traveling, dog-sledding, white water rafting and enjoying any beach she encountered. She had a South-Texas stubborn personality, but was very generous with her family, grandchildren and friends.

Sandy was married to her first husband Charles “Chuck” LaFrance in April 1968, but that marriage ended after a few years. She met her second husband, Brian Jon Harms, of Sioux Falls, SD and they were married from July 1978 to October 1998 when Brian passed away. Sandy is survived by one child, John B. LaFrance, born Sept. 1971, and three grandchildren: Aubrey, Connor, and Sydney LaFrance.

Sandy’s only sibling was Jerry Milton Talbert of Alvin, TX, who died in October 2023 in Alvin, TX.

Friends and family are invited to a public funeral and memorial service at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, September 24, 2026, with visitation at 1:00 pm MST, memorial service at 2:00 pm, and burial with full military honors at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations are preferred to the American Cancer Society for Lymphoma Research and the Colorado Humane Society. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Dignity Memorial.

A special thank you to all of our family and friends for their love and support over the years. An extended appreciation to the Air Force honor guard funeral services and all members of the United States armed forces.