Darrell P. Clay Obituary

SFC Clay, I think of you often. I think of how kind you were. I think a lot about your sons, and how well they are living. I wish the very best for them, and hope they remember you. I wish the very best for your widow. I'm sorry for being so drury, but I cringe at every thought of your loss. I miss your smile, and your compassion for doing the right thing, always. You were a good person and I miss that in this world!

I remember you every day SFC Clay. A couple of months ago, after 12 years, my first KIA bracelet in your honor broke. I didnt feel complete until the replacement showed up a week later.

You were a great Soldier and Im honored to call you my Brother.

My condolences to Darrell Clay family, sorry for your loss. Please find comfort in Gods word ( the bible)

April 1, 2013
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay:
It has truly been my honor to sign Darrell's guest book these past few years. Unfortunately, due to complications from my Multiple Sclerosis, this may be the last message I'm able to write. Please forgive me and know that Darrell will always be remembered in my home.
With love and respect ~ Peggy

Thank you SSGT Darrell Clay, we will forever be grateful for your military service and gratitude. You are still remembered and honored.

Happy birthday uncle Darrell!!!

Forever loved always missed

My name is Sharitta, I am Darrell's oldest niece.Thank you for all of your thoughts, and wishes. There isn't one day, one holiday or one birthday that we don't think about Darrell. His children miss him, and his family misses home dearly.

April 1, 2012
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay:
Always remembering Darrell. "Some gave all."

well sfc clay once again 9/11 is here, you will be remembered for all the great things you did, and for the mentoring you shared with your brothers in arms. i just want to say " thanks again" for all the times you kept me out of trouble, and for all the prank jokes we did on all the scouts in our platoon in germany in the 11th acr. you will be missed bro, you are my brother forever. scouts out
v/r
sfc larry smith "smitty"

I miss you so much Clay...You was my bestfriend, my brother, my side kick..You will never be forgotten and will be well missed...Your Brother...Kenya

To the family of Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay:
Please know that just as your loved one remains in your hearts and minds; his sacrifice, and that of your family, remains with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God bless and keep you always.

Dear Clay Family,

I cannot belive that it now has been 5 years since Darrell's passing. You know, I think of him so very often. I miss my friend. I hope you are well, and wish for you to know that he will never be forgotten. Very respectfully, SFC Wayne Ashby, USA, Retired.

To the family and friends Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay
Please accept our remembrance of Darrell on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Ginger Mankowski/Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

thinking of you. thank you for your service my brother on this memorial day.

The NC Run for the Fallen will honor fallen troops from North Carolina at a Memorial Run on Saturday, May 29th, 8:30am, Ayden Grifton High School track, Hwy 11 S. Ayden NC. Each troop will be honored by a runner/walker who carries a flag in his memory for one mile. Please come join us in honoring our fallen troops. For more information contact Kathy Moore at 252-746-3435 after 5:00pm or email at [email protected]

darrell, it's been 4 years. i remember this day like it was yesterday. thank you for being my friend. always do think of you bro...
wayne / sfc ashby

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay:
Remembering Darrell on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Darrell God Bless you and your family. From our pee wee football (Cliffdale Demons), junior high and high school you always were one of the good guys. To Mr. Clay in Fayetteville, you raised him right. God Bless.

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

To the family of Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay:
Darrell gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

SFC Clay, I remember when you were picked up for SFC, that smile you had was ever lasting. My heart went out to you b/c I knew you would be the new Scout PSG. We both know that was a long time coming. Both you and SFC Harris taught me alot about people and soldiers. Thank You!

The night you and SGT D were hit was haunting, when the guys returned from your patrol, with looks of devistation I could not help but think of your children and the loved ones you left behind. You are a great person and I new that everyone would miss you; however I also new that your overwatch from above would be settling.


I wont forget that smile, and that laugh. You will forever be in my thoughts, and your family in my prayers.



God's Speed,
Jack

Brother, you are not forgotten. i think of you so very often. miss you my friend,

wayne.

On this Memorial Day you are remembered and respected. Thank you Staff Sgt Clay!

My deepest condolences to the family.May God comfort you in this time of indescribable pain and grief. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

To SFC Clay's family,
I'm the Medic that was attached to Clay's platoon while training in Germany, and our deployment to Iraq. I was one of a few that spent the last moments with him. He had only been with our platoon for 3 weeks before God took him from us. In those 3 weeks he taught me a lot of things...Always fight for your soldiers and Never show stress to your soldiers among many other great things. We were doing 6-12 hour patrols 2-3 times a day, and he was the one that made sure that I had at least one day off during the week to myself, that showed to me that he really cared for his soldiers eventhough I wasnt a scout. I remember him saying that things were gonna change for me for the better cause I was his soldier now. I just really hope you know that we did everything we could that day. Not one day goes by that I dont think of the day that God took SFC Clay and SGT Devo from us, I miss them both greatly.
To my two brothers...I'll see you at Fiddler's Green...

To the family and friends of Darrell. Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers today.

May God and His Angels surround you and bring you comfort.

xo xo
Deb
Proud Air Force Mom and MIL
http://remembering-the-fallen.blogspot.com/

I just wanted to say that Darrell is still thought of over here in Germany.He was a great person and a wonderful friend,he was always there when needed.Darrell was full of joy and laughter, always fun to be around.He always talked about his family and children.
DARRELL,YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY IN HOUR HEARTS AND MEMORY..

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Staff Sgt Clay and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

To the family of a fine soldier, and friend: SSG Clay was one of the best people that I met during my time in the military. I served with him as well during our first deployment and was deeply sadden when I read that he was taken from us all. I will never forget him and may he always remain in our hearts. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Please know how Deeply Sorry I was to learn of the loss of Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay,
The price this Brave Young Soldier and his family have paid for this country and for freedom, Will Never Be Forgotten.

There will Never be Enough Ways to Humbly Thank these Young Heroes for their Supreme Sacrifice, my brother among them. KIA~Vietnam, 1967.

Treasure this hero Lord, in Your Garden of Rest,
for while here on earth, he was one of our best.

I pray you find strength in your faith, comfort in God's love, and peace in knowing this country remembers Darrell's sacrifice.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

To the Clay family. My deepest reguards. I served with him the first trip to Iraq. I was the gunner on his truck for a few months. I had the best times then. Never enough good things could ever be said about that fine Cav Trooper! I look for you at "our" resting spot, SSG Clay!
Sgt King

"Spc Hsia, You will always be in my heart....Wild Bunch for life....I send all that I am to you and your family...And to the family if you ever need anything, I will be there for you...703-209-2726. Your son was one of the finest and most dedicated soldiers that I had the pleasure to train and serve in combat with...He will forever be remembered."

"You will always be in my heart....Wild Bunch for life....I send all that I am to you and your family...And to the family if you ever need anything, I will be there for you...703-209-2726. Your son was one of the finest and most dedicated soldiers that I had the pleasure to train and serve in combat with...He will forever be remembered."

To the Clay family, I send my deepest reguards to you. I was in 2/6 INF Maintenance from 2002 to 2005 and was lucky to have known Sarge Clay as everyone knew him. He was a damn fine soldier. He was a among the few with a rock solid back bone. He stood up for the soldier, especially for his own. You could say he was a pit bull locked up in a basement, and fearless when let loose. He was serious, but had a humorus side that often came out, and could leave laughing about his jokes even days later. It was an honor to have known Clay and fought beside him. The world definetly needs more people like him. Till I see you again rest in peace my brother.

To the Clay family, I want to share with you my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son, and also one of my best friends. I meet Darrell in Germany in 1993, we were stationed together in Wildflecken 2-11 ACR. He was one 3 of my roomates. He took me in and and showed me the ropes. He was like the BIG Brother that i never had. He always had my back and kept me out of trouble. When he PCS'ed, I also PCS'ed and went to Ft Stewart GA. I thought that i would never see him again...but by the grace of god, I ran into him once again. He was on his way returning to Bosnia. The last time I saw Darrell was in Ft Stewart, before he returned to Germany. I told him to keep his head down and be safe. I miss Darrell and I hope to see his kids one day to give them all the pictures of their dad that I took while we grew up as brothers. In closing I would like to say...Darrell you are not forgotten, and I will see you again. Take care My Big Brother, and thanks for always being their for me man. REST IN PEACE.. SCOUTS OUT.

SSG Larry Smith

I am very sorry for your loss. I graduated from 71st with Darrell and we had several classes together through the years. I'm also a soldier so not only did I loose a childhood friend I lost a fellow soldier. Again sorry for your loss.

I know no words at this time can ease your sorrow. Know that we pray with you and cry with you.

To the family of Darrell Clay, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Thank you all very much for your comfort. I know my husband was a great soldier, husband, father, son and brother. And we all miss his love

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. KNOW THAT YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES TO KEEP HIS SMILE SHINING. GODSPEED. SEMPER FI

we care and share in your sorrow.

My deepest sympathy and love for the Clay family, from a gator 2-6 wife. My husband served with SSG Clay during the first OIF deployment. Now, SFC Clay is sorely missed as a superior soldier, loved one, and friend to many. Thank you, Darrell, for your service! You've saved many lives and rebuilt many others. You've given the ultimate sacrifice for your country, your family, and your gator brothers. Your life is a blessing to us and we can't be grateful enough. God bless your family and grant them peace and hope in the midst of their grief.

I spent, along with many other family members, fearing a dreadful knock on the door from uniformed bearers of the worst news. My heart grieves with you, dear Clay family, and cries out to God for peace for you. May you know and rest in His unfailing love.

You have so much to be proud of, knowing what an awesome man Darrell is. One of my comforts, while my husband was deployed to Iraq, was knowing such brave, confident, excellent men as him were serving along side of my husband. He speaks often of the scouts and what amazing soldiers they are. I met Darrell briefly at a welcoming ceremony after their first deployment. I cannot begin to describe the sense of brotherly love that was present. The bond was so strong, it permeated the auditorium, filling it with a sense that it was something so powerful, one could never begin to understand it unless one was there with them throughout it all. Only in Heaven will we ever comprehend it. I'm certain Darrell is cheering the rest of us on from Heaven, admonishing us to finish the race set before us, to fight the good fight. Darrell, you are strong in faith and we are stronger for your life.



Thankful for you,



Jenn Loffert

My condolences to the Clay family.

Darrell may you rest in peace. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. You have earned your golden halo and wings. May you continue to soar in the heavenly clouds up above.

I would like to take a brief moment to say what kind of soldier SSG Clay was. He was a very personable soldier. Ready to teach, pitch in, help, and be a genuine example for his subordinates, peers, and supervisors alike. He is, and was the epitomy of what a soldier is. SSG Clay was my peer. He will not be forgotten. His passing is very unfortunate...A sincere loss to all that have known him. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to his family. I also would like to add something. I believe that one of his assured legacies is to all that he has served. He taught many...the skills to be better soldiers, and therefore to hopefully ensure that they will come home. God Bless you Darrell...

My husband Gary's and my deepest sympathy goes to the family of Staff Sgt. Darrell Clay. Our son SFC Wayne Ashby, who served with Sgt. Clay in Baghdad is in the same unit as Sgt. Clay was. Wayne emailed us quite distraught about Sgt. Clay's passing; he stated that he was proud to say that Sgt. Clay was among a few of the people he served with that he considered a true friend. No words can take away the overwhelming sorrow you must all feel, but please know you are in our thoughts

To the family of this brave soldier. There are no words that will bring comfort to your loss. I too just lost my brother MSG Emigdio Elizarrars less than two months ago in Afghanistan. However, I will forever be grateful for the sacrifice of your brave soldier as well as those others we have lost and for those who are proudly and unselfishly serving. God bless and may the lord bring you some comfort during this difficult path.

To the family of SSGT Darrell P. Clay--I am beyond words to express my sadness for all the soldiers and families that have lost loved ones to this cause. God bless you and keep you. America prays for you. May Jesus comfort you.

A Proud 172 Stryker Mom

Dianne Werner

My heartfelt sympathy to the Clay family in the loss of Darrell. I did not know Darrell, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. Darrell you are a hero and you will never be forgotten.

I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.

Love and Peace

Tom



To live in the hearts

of those you leave behind

is never to die"

~Robert Orr~

Rest in Peace Tufelhunden....J and T USMC in NC

Sister of a Fallen Marine

To the Family of Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay:

My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courgeous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guestbook for the rest of my life. We lost our son 12/1/05.

I know first hand there are no words right now that will bring you the comfort and peace you need. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you mourn this loss. We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so saddened at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with. I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally, but none of these courageous men and women will be forgotten. They will never be able to be replaced, but sometime, someday your loving memories will help to sustain you. This courageous soldier will forever now be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well. To his family and friends in pain, I offer this comfort. When you find yourself in that dark sorrowful place, think not only of how you will miss him, but instead recall the years, days, hours and minutes gifted to you by his presence. If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away and would love for you to tell me more about your Hero. God Bless this courageous soldier and family.

Pam and Bill Adams (SFC Brent Adams, KIA 12/1/05 Ramadi, Iraq)

[email protected]

(Millersville, PA )