Obituary of Sanford Coston Harper

Sandy Harper was born December 3, 1936 in Winston-Salem, NC. He passed away on March 2, 2012, after a 14 month battle with leukemia. Sandy and his wife, Sherry, have been married 25 years. Also surviving are two brothers, Michael and John; three sons, Chris Harper, Dan Coppin and Mike Coppin (daughter-in-law, Liz); a daughter, Shawn King (son-in-law, Bob). Sandy also enjoyed the chaos created by three grandchildren, Aidan King, Avery King and Samantha Bell. After high school and two years of college the Army sent him to Korea in the late 1950's. Returning home he finished his college at UNC Chapel Hill, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science. In 1964 in San Francisco Sandy met and married Astrid Joerns with whom he had his son, Chris. He was a Farmers Insurance Broker in Marin Co. Astrid and Sandy divorced in 1980. A year later he met Sherry Coppin and they married in 1987. In 1995 Sandy and Sherry retired, and went off for some great adventures in their RV. He told people they were "foot loose & fancy free". It was in 2005 that they settled in Tucson. We are convinced that God knew Sandy would need the services of the renowned Arizona University Medical Center/Cancer Clinic. God's in charge and as we have learned, total surrender to Him is how God does His best work. Sandy lived a very full life and was at peace with God's direction for him. Sandy's love of adventure and fun gave him a wild and mischievous reputation but he also established lifelong friendships that have remained to this day. His sense of humor, quick wit and easy going manner will be missed by all. He will live on in our minds and hearts as a man with easy laughter and funny quotes that always fit the occasion. Funeral Services will be at Saint Francis de Sales Parish, 1375 S. Camino Seco, Tucson, AZ, 85710 at 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2012. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations be made to: University of Arizona Cancer Center (UAF/UACC), 1515 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724. Memo on the check should read in memory of Sandy Harper. Arrangements by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL.