This morning, Clay Dopke, also known here as B52drivr, passed away.Air Force Major (ret.) Clayton Dopke flew B52s in Vietnam and later went on to fly B727s for the U.S. Government. Clay was also an avid car buff and owned a Porsche repair shop and loved fixing them as he loved racing them. Clay eventually settled down in Mississippi where he owned a horse farm and raised and sold horses. He lived a quiet life and was in the process of writing a novel "No Sympathy for the Devil." Clay loved flight simming and being a part of this community where he was very active on these forums and as a subject matter expert to multiple 3rd party developers. He was seldom seen around lately due to his ill health. Clay passed away this morning after a long battle with lung disease. Clay was my dear, dear friend.His wife Kathy emailed me this morning and told me that he boarded his last flight that took him on a flight plan that we cannot follow. He is survived by his wife and loving children. His funeral arrangements are not yet made but if you wish to pass on condolences to his family please email me at michael(at)toussaintonline(dot)net.Clay my friend, you are cleared for takeoff, direct at pilot's descretion, no speed restrictions, winds calm. Good Day. I will miss you.Your loving friend,Mike T.

This morning, Clay Dopke, also known here as B52drivr, passed away.Air Force Major (ret.) Clayton Dopke flew B52s in Vietnam and later went on to fly B727s for the U.S. Government. Clay was also an avid car buff and owned a Porsche repair shop and loved fixing them as he loved racing them. Clay eventually settled down in Mississippi where he owned a horse farm and raised and sold horses. He lived a quiet life and was in the process of writing a novel "No Sympathy for the Devil." Clay loved flight simming and being a part of this community where he was very active on these forums and as a subject matter expert to multiple 3rd party developers. He was seldom seen around lately due to his ill health. Clay passed away this morning after a long battle with lung disease. Clay was my dear, dear friend.His wife Kathy emailed me this morning and told me that he boarded his last flight that took him on a flight plan that we cannot follow. He is survived by his wife and loving childrent. His funeral arrangements are not yet made but if you wish to pass on condolences to his family please email me at michael(at)toussaintonline(dot)net.Clay my friend, you are cleared for takeoff, direct at pilot's descretion, no speed restrictions, winds calm. Good Day. I will miss you.Your loving friend,Mike T.

Mike,I'm sorry for the passing of your friend Clay. I don't normally post here but remember Clay a lot. Again accept my condolences. JeffWhen this life I'm in is done,And at the gates I stand,My hope is that I answer allHis questions on command.I doubt He'll ask me of my fame,Or all the things I knew, Instead,He'll ask of rainbows sentOn rainy days I flew.The hours logged, the status reached,The ratings will not matter.He'll ask me if I saw the raysAnd how He made them scatter.Remember how the runway lightsLooked one night long agoWhen you were lost and found your way,And how-you still dont know?How fast, how far, how much, how high?He'll ask me not these thingsBut did I take the time to watchThe Moonbeams wash my wings?The wind he flung along my wings,On final almost stalled.And did I know I it was His name,That I so fearfully called?And when the goals are reached at last,When all the flyings done,I'll answer Him with no regret-Indeed, I had some fun.So when these things are asked of me,And I can reach no higher,My prayer this day - His hand extendsTo welcome home a Flyer.

Thanks for posting this notice, Mike. I enjoyed Clay's contributions to the forum and offer my sincere condolences to you and his family.

This morning, Clay Dopke, also known here as B52drivr, passed away.Air Force Major (ret.) Clayton Dopke flew B52s in Vietnam and later went on to fly B727s for the U.S. Government. Clay was also an avid car buff and owned a Porsche repair shop and loved fixing them as he loved racing them. Clay eventually settled down in Mississippi where he owned a horse farm and raised and sold horses. He lived a quiet life and was in the process of writing a novel "No Sympathy for the Devil." Clay loved flight simming and being a part of this community where he was very active on these forums and as a subject matter expert to multiple 3rd party developers. He was seldom seen around lately due to his ill health. Clay passed away this morning after a long battle with lung disease. Clay was my dear, dear friend.His wife Kathy emailed me this morning and told me that he boarded his last flight that took him on a flight plan that we cannot follow. He is survived by his wife and loving children. His funeral arrangements are not yet made but if you wish to pass on condolences to his family please email me at michael(at)toussaintonline(dot)net.Clay my friend, you are cleared for takeoff, direct at pilot's descretion, no speed restrictions, winds calm. Good Day. I will miss you.Your loving friend,Mike T.

The good ones seem to go home first...Godspeed Clay.:(

Hello everyone.I'm sorry to hear about Clay. I had some correspondence with him, and I found him to be a great individual. My condolences to his friends and his family. TV

Very bad news Mike. I have wondered why we have heard so little from Major Clay recently. Thanks for letting us know why even though I know all of us are sad to hear it.He was a great deal of help to me quite some time back. I also enjoyed his wit. I think we discovered that we were both at Travis at about the same time, though I was in ADC, not SAC.My most sincere condolences to the immediate family as well you Mike and anyone else that feels the loss at least by associated friendship.Respectfully:Roger T. Hodges (RTH)

My condolences goes out to family and friend's in this hard time. lung disease is such a horrible monster it really gets me angry when we lose good people like Clay I never personally met him but I'm sure that he was a very kind and great person.

I talked to Clay more than a few times in various forums and I believe a few PM's. He was a really great guy. I'm saddened to see him go.

RIP Clay, and condolences to your family and friends. S!Regards, SLuggy

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.He was a good man! :(

I've enjoyed reading Clay's posts over the last five years that I've been a member here. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace bud, - Blake

RIP Clay....

All:On behalf of Clay's wife Kathy, daughter, and five step-children thank you all for the overwhelming send-off. "What we do in life, echoes in eternity" and it is a testament to the man called Clay "Drac" Dopke to see how many lives he touched positively around the world through the community here at Avsim that he loved so much.Clay will make his departure on Monday, September 23rd at Russel Baptist Church. 1844 Highway 11 and 80, Meridian, MS 39301. I will print out all of your posts to this thread and emails for Clay so that he has some Avsim posts to read on his final journey home. As an old warrior he would have wanted the troops to carry on without him. To celebrate his life and love of this community I ask that if you are financially able please make a Donation (of any amount) to Avsim.com in Clay's name as that is what he would have wanted. Thanks again on behalf of his family and friends for your overwhelming outpouring of support.With warm regards,Mike T.

I'll miss him,as I miss others.But reading posts from a man who knew, yeah,I'll miss that.My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends,and I very much hope to meet Clay at the other side,I would be honored.Rest in peace.JP Visser.

This morning, Clay Dopke, also known here as B52drivr, passed away.Air Force Major (ret.) Clayton Dopke flew B52s in Vietnam and later went on to fly B727s for the U.S. Government. Clay was also an avid car buff and owned a Porsche repair shop and loved fixing them as he loved racing them. Clay eventually settled down in Mississippi where he owned a horse farm and raised and sold horses. He lived a quiet life and was in the process of writing a novel "No Sympathy for the Devil." Clay loved flight simming and being a part of this community where he was very active on these forums and as a subject matter expert to multiple 3rd party developers. He was seldom seen around lately due to his ill health. Clay passed away this morning after a long battle with lung disease. Clay was my dear, dear friend.His wife Kathy emailed me this morning and told me that he boarded his last flight that took him on a flight plan that we cannot follow. He is survived by his wife and loving children. His funeral arrangements are not yet made but if you wish to pass on condolences to his family please email me at michael(at)toussaintonline(dot)net.Clay my friend, you are cleared for takeoff, direct at pilot's descretion, no speed restrictions, winds calm. Good Day. I will miss you.Your loving friend,Mike T.

Mike said to hear a fellow aviation member from AVSIM has left us :Rose:New Clay from his several kind post here in the forums and my deepest condolence goes to his wife and family.Godspeed Clayton.André