Julian A. (Sonny) Lerner

He was born November 12, 1924 in Galveston, Texas to Aaron and Annie Lerner. His father was a Survivor of the 1900 Flood that almost destroyed Galveston. He graduated from Galveston Ball High School in 1940 at age 15 and entered the University of Texas. He was Sports Editor of his high school annual and had intended to become a sports writer but switched to pre-law. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II right after his 18th birthday and served in the Army Specialized Training Program. When that Program was disbanded, he was assigned to the 103rd (Cactus) Infantry Division. He served with that Division in a mortar squad in a Rifle Company in France, Germany and Austria and was awarded three Battle Stars, the Combat Infantry badge and the Bronze Star for Service in Ground Combat. During the Hagenau Woods battle in France, his Company was surrounded by German tanks and suffered heavy casualties and captured men. He and some of his comrades were listed as missing but were reunited with their Company under extreme weather conditions and heavy enemy fire. In April 1945, he was a liberator of survivors of a German concentration camp in Landsberg, Germany and a witness of the Holocaust.

After the war, he earned a Business Degree in 1947 and a law degree in 1950 from the University of Texas. He practiced law for 10 years, and then became Legal Counsel to the insurance conglomerate operated by Troy Post. He recognized mutual funds as having great growth potential and acquired the Fund Management Company after serving as its President. In 1968, he founded and ran the Charter Fund. He eventually sold the Management Company to the AIM Group and remained Portfolio Manager of Charter Fund (renamed AIM Charter) until his retirement in 1994. During his management of AIM Charter Fund, it became one of the largest and most successful stock funds in the country. During his career, he was recognized as a pioneer in the Fund business by many professional organizations and publications.

During his professional career, Mr. Lerner was a member of the Dallas, Texas, and American Bar Associations, Dallas Society of Investment Analysts, a Governor of the Board of the Investment Company Institute, Member of the Investment Companies Committee of the NASD, and Portfolio Manager of the AIM Charter and AIM Summit Funds. He previously served as Portfolio Manager of California-based Olympus Stock Fund (which he co-founded) and Atlas Growth and Income Fund. After his retirement from AIM, he served as a Director of Associated Financial Group of California, IDEX Mutual Funds of Florida, Atlas Funds of California and the American Skandia Trust and Advisor Funds of Connecticut.

At the University of Texas, Mr. Lerner was a member of Tau Delta Phi fraternity and was awarded an Athletic Letter as an Intermural Manager. He served as President of the Dallas Texas Ex-Students Association and was a Life Member of the UT Ex Students Organization. He supported the University of Texas and all its athletic teams.

Mr. Lerner was a lifetime member of Beth Jacob Congregation in Galveston, Texas which his father helped found, and a member of Temple Emanuel El in Dallas.

Mr. Lerner married his college sweetheart, Peggy (Gross) Lerner and she was his partner and supporter in every endeavor, a loving, caring wife of 63 ½ years, who died in 2011. He was preceded in death by loving sisters Rhe Lerner Oster, Pearl Lerner Geller and Helen Lerner Topek. He is also survived by loving daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Burton Gilbert of Fort Worth and Joy Lerner and Stephen Kelin of Washington, DC and loving grandchildren, Michael and Natalia Gilbert, Lauren and Houdi Epstein and Emily and Alison Kelin, great granddaughters Alexandra Paige Gilbert, Leah Rose Epstein, Blair Emerson Gilbert and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime friends scattered throughout the country. He is very appreciative to his faithful nurse and assistant for many years, Lupita Barcelo.

If so inclined, donations may be made to Jewish Family Service of Dallas, Temple Emanuel of Dallas, Congregation Beth El in Fort Worth, Jewish Family Service of Tarrant County, or a charity of your choice.

Funeral Services will be conducted by Rabbi David Stern. The burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 13 at Sparkman Hillcrest and the Memorial Service at 11:00 at Sparkman Hillcrest followed by a reception at Temple Emanuel. Minyan will be at Congregation Beth El in Fort Worth at 5:00 p.m.