Ray F. Lerner
1939-2025
Ray “Pap Jake” Francis Lerner, 85, of Dale City, Va., passed away on January 26, 2025.
He was born on February 16, 1939, the son of the late Herman Francis Lerner and Reva Unger Lerner of Berkeley Springs W.Va.
He attended Berkeley Springs High School and married Judy Kathleen Henry in 1962.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a Vietnam Era Army Veteran receiving marksmanship awards.
He retired from Fort Belvoir Commissary receiving various achievements awards during his 27 years. Previously he worked for Giant.
He was an official National Skeet Shooting Association referee for over 40 years, did various event catering, handyman jobs and enjoyed carving walking sticks.
Ray was a lifetime member of the NRA, NSSA and a member of the Fairfax Rod & Gun Club, the American Legion, an honorary member of Salisbury Gun Club in Maryland and various other hunting clubs and groups over the years.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman, skeet shooter, certified marksmanship instructor and enjoyed building fishing rods, tying flies and most of all making Pap Jakes Homemade Apple Butter with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of over 62 years; son Montgomery Lerner (wife Laura); daughter Elizabeth White (husband Chris); granddaughter Rachel Heflin (husband Michael); grandson Blake Lerner and great granddaughter Hope Heflin.
The family will receive guests on February 28 at 11 a.m. for visitation, 12 p.m. for a life celebration service at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd., Dale City, Va. Inter-ment with military honors at Quantico National Cemetery at 2 p.m., followed by a farewell reception at Fairfax Rod & Gun Club, 7039 Signal Hill Road, Manassas, VA 20111.
