First, I would like to say thank you to everyone who was Clay's friend on this forum. It gave him many many hours of enjoyment, especially when he became much too ill to do anything outside of the home. I found this poem and would like to share it with each and every one of you.Kathy Dopke Clay's wifeGod saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you & whispered come with me. With tearful eyes, we watched & saw you pass away. Although we love you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the BEST. Put this on your status if there is someone in heaven you will miss this Christmas!

Mrs. Dopke,Thank you for taking the time to come here and share that poem with us. I am a better person for having known Clay, and you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.Below are my remarks from one of the several threads here at Avsim dedicated to your husband:"I'm so saddened to hear the news about Clay. I am lucky to have known him, albeit relatively briefly. Clay shared much in common with my late father, and he lent me an understanding ear on more than a few occasions. For that, I will be eternally greatful. He put on a brave face and soldiered on despite his frequent discomfort as a result of his ongoing battle with cancer. So much so that, judging by his attitude, I assumed he was beating it handily. Clay was a patriot, hero, and all-around great guy. I hope that he is resting comfortably, and that his family is comforted by love and prayers of those whose lives he touched. Godspeed, brother."

Thanks so much. Please continue to send letters if there are any more. His daughter is really taking this hard.

I would like to express my hearfelt condolences to you and your family. I am truly sorry for your loss and I hope Clayton has found peace. Sincerely,Robert Halmich

Thank you so much....he is very much at peace. He can finally breathe. COPD is a horrible death to watch much less experience. He never did get around to teaching me to fly with his computer....he tried bless his heart. I always wanted to fly in the snow.....and would ALWAYS crash. I am going to sell his controllers and stuff if you know of anyone who would like to purchase them. Seems a shame to just let them sit.Thanks, Kathy

Thank you so much....he is very much at peace. He can finally breathe. COPD is a horrible death to watch much less experience. He never did get around to teaching me to fly with his computer....he tried bless his heart. I always wanted to fly in the snow.....and would ALWAYS crash. I am going to sell his controllers and stuff if you know of anyone who would like to purchase them. Seems a shame to just let them sit.Thanks, Kathy

You might want to post the information in the Swap Meet forum. I'm sure one of his fellow simmers would give them a good home and make sure they are put to good use.http://forum.avsim.net/forum/174-swap-meet/

ok thank you

GRRR Hit the wrong key Dopke.....How do I edit it?

Kathy,Clay meant the world to us at PMDG. He was a fixture on our beta team and everyone loved talking with him. I could (and did) listen to him talk about his adventures in real world flying for hours on end. He is greatly missed here and in the larger simming community.He was very much looking forward to helping test our new 737 before he passed and we felt that the least we could do is dedicate the airplane to him - this will appear on every copy of the airplane below both cockpit windows:

Mrs Dopke,I'm so sorry, I never knew your husband but I know how it feels. I lost my mother when I was 22 as the youngest child of the family, the time I needed her most. Even now after 27 years and in this period of the year as Xmas days and New Year are coming, I know what it is and how it feels as I still miss her. I wish you a lot of strength. Otherwise don't forget, Clay is 'in good hands' now.My very best regards,Peter(from that small country Belgium)

Clay,Just for a correction, it was Major Clayton Thomas Dopke. Thought you might want to correct it before it was released

RIP

Clay was always a person of inspiration, thanks for sharing your kind words during what I know is a challenging time. They mean more to me than you will ever know.Regards,John

Mrs Dopke-We will both be missing somebody this christmas, myself with my dad and yourself with Clay (though I never got the privillage of meeting him, from what I have heared AND seen around the AVSIM forums, he was a great man who will be missied). Stay strong okay? If need anything PM me.Take care,

First, I would like to say thank you to everyone who was Clay's friend on this forum. It gave him many many hours of enjoyment, especially when he became much too ill to do anything outside of the home. I found this poem and would like to share it with each and every one of you.Kathy Dopke Clay's wife

Kathy,I cannot begin to tell you how sad this news is. Clay has been an AVSIM family member and friend since our early days. We celebrate our 14th birthday next March and I wish Clay could be here to participate. His contributions to AVSIM and to his fellow hobbyists have been constant through all these years. Clay was never hesitent to share his experience and in doing so, he contributed immensely to AVSIM's relevence and success.We are truly sorry to hear of Clay's passing. Please accept our condolances for your loss. Clay was a friend and a staunch member of our hobby. He will be missed.