Edward Clay Smith

Sorry to hear of Clay's passing. I learned to fly at Pryor Field and Clay always gave me every opportunity to build time by ferrying aircraft for him. I remember flying him and Tom to BNA one day, and I didn't yet have an instrument rating. While following I-65 to BNA, the ceiling kept getting lower, and it began to rain. Clay was in the rear seat calmly reading a newspaper as I peeled off to the right into a valley and stood the plane on it's left wing as I reversed course back to Decatur. I was scared to death and Clay never once looked up from his newspaper. When we landed back at DCU, he just said, "Nice job!"

This was around 1979-80, and my days at Pryor Field with Mr. Smith and the others were the best days of my life.

Dear Tommy, Cass and Stan:

Thank you so much for allowing me the honor to be a pall bearer and to share in the goodbye to your father and my Uncle Clay. I just wanted to leave you with some sound bites of memories from the incredible past we all shared beginning on Pryor Street and then Jefferson and on and on... Rubber band guns, Bama and the Ouiji board, Mercury outboards only, the shooting of a color TV, drill presses, Pittsburgh high-rise apt, Jersey shore house, Norman OK ranch, Dale Robertson, Angel Fire, the Cabin, the River, 2001 A Space Odyssey @ the Ritz, hay bailing in the night at the farm, crawdad hunting in Stinnett Hollow, building forts on the roof of grandmother's house, Peugot, WD, KFC then riding high on the truck rails to the river, DC3 to Chattanooga to pick up a red Mercedes, razor straps, Schwinn Bikes, Nanny Bell, Suzie, Shadow, Duchess, 757CQ, Osh-Kosh, 1964 World's Fair, hurricanes and pool algae blooms in Bayou la Batre, ...

Uncle Clay's greatest gift to us was to live big and to dream big. I love you all, David

Dear Tommy, Cass, Stan and families,
I was saddened to learn of the death of your father. I have many happy memories of the times our families spent together when we were growing up. I hope that these and other memories will comfort you in the days ahead.

My sympathy and prayers,

Tom and Family,
We were so sorry to hear about your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Our deepest sympathy to the Smith Families. Memories hold those we've loved in our hearts forever. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Blake, Kristy(Vinson), Jackson and Kennedy Dollar

Clay Smith is and was a true Gentleman. Without his help I would never have gotten N130WH in the air. Thanks Clay, you will be missed. Russ Woodard, Athens, Alabama

We are so saddened by the news of Clay's death. He was so very special to Daddy, as were each of you. Hopefully, fond memories will bring you comfort during this sad time. You are in our hearts & prayers.

In deepest sympathy,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I'm sorry to hear about Clay. Sorry I'm not there for you guys. Thanks for helping me follow my dreams and always being good to me.Let me know if You guys need anything.