THIS PLACE:

Biker’s legacy: Outlaws in church

Riders of all stripes mourn gang member turned evangelist

Sam Morris

Jesse James Corrao, 23, gets a hug from Keith “Cannonball” Armstrong at the funeral Saturday for his father, James “Wolf” Corrao, who was killed in a hit-and-run the previous weekend by a drunken-driving suspect. Formerly an outlaw, the elder Corrao quit his gang six years ago and gave his life to God.

By Marshall Allen (contact)

Friday, March 27, 2009 | 2 a.m.

James "Wolf" Corrao

Rival bikers come together for fallen friend

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

Man arrested for DUI in fatal collision with motorcycle (3-14-2009)
Born to be saved (10-22-1999)

Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club

The air smelled of exhaust and cigarettes and rumbled with the thunder of Harley pipes.

Some of the hundreds of bikers wore tattoos of devils, skulls and raised middle fingers. Mottos on jackets and bikes said “Trust no one” and “We give what we get.”

Disputes among the Bandidos, Hells Angels, Vagos and other outlaw motorcycle groups can erupt into brawls, stabbings and gunfire.

But on this day they’re gathering at Hope Baptist Church. With tears in their eyes.

It’s Wolf’s funeral.

James Corrao, a 53-year-old biker, was killed in a hit-and-run the previous Saturday by a suspected drunken driver.

And some 600 people, mostly Christian bikers with tattoos and patches that proclaimed love for God, have filled the church today. They’re here with motorcycle gang members who on most days have little use for one another.

Until six years ago Wolf had been one of those outlaws, a “one-percenter,” a member of the biker gangs notorious for intimidation and mayhem. In his own words, which were read at the service, he was an outlaw among outlaws — an enforcer, bouncer and bodyguard. He had written the story of his faith a few days before his death, intending to share it at a Bible study that had been scheduled for this day.

Wolf was covered in tattoos from his toes to his nose and so fearsome in his outlaw days that a gang gave him a full patch without the usual initiation period — a legendary sign of respect in the biker world. His life was characterized by violence. And misery.

“I was mean and angry and I put (my wife) Debbie and my family through hell,” Wolf wrote. “But Debbie told me that one day the good man in me would come out.”

Wolf’s life hit bottom after the death of a brother and the loss of his job. He was beyond angry. He was empty.

“I’m tired. I’m done. I don’t wanna be this man no more,” a friend recalled him saying.

It was about then Wolf turned to the Soldiers for Jesus motorcycle club — former outlaw bikers, drug addicts and alcoholics turned evangelists — and they led him to a relationship with God.

“God has changed my life a lot and still is. The anger and violence — God has taken it away,” Wolf wrote after his conversion.

“Most of us are no-good losers somehow, someway,” said Keith “Cannonball” Armstrong, president of the Soldiers for Jesus Las Vegas chapter and one of Wolf’s closest friends. “But through the grace of God we have turned over a new leaf and God has found favor in our lives and picked us up and started us over.”

The Soldiers still hang out at outlaw parties — but now they pray with other bikers. They’re in the outlaw world but not of it.

And today, at Wolf’s funeral, it’s a turnabout. The outlaws have joined the Soldiers in church. Hope Baptist had never seen so much leather.

They are filling the seats and standing in a ring around the sanctuary and crowded in the back. Wolf’s body, clad in his black leather vest, lies in an open casket flanked on each side by a Christian biker.

Wolf’s 23-year-old son, Jesse James Corrao, a tattoo artist in Las Vegas, told the gathering, “I got to see my dad go from someone who was the worst person anyone could imagine to a man who changed more lives in six years than most people could in their lifetime.”

One member of the Vagos, Tommy Mac, said outside the service that Wolf always showed everyone respect. When Wolf said that he loved you, “you felt it,” he said.

“A lot of tough guys are here in this parking lot with tears in their eyes, myself included,” Mac said.

The driver who killed Wolf tried to flee the scene. After he was caught, Mac said he begged the police to throw him in jail with the driver so he could “take him out.” He wanted to kill the guy. Not anymore.

“Wolf wouldn’t want that,” Mac said. “Wolf already forgave that man. It’s not up to us to judge him.”

Discussion: 22 comments so far…

By firstlady1012

3/27/09 at 8:43 a.m.

Suggest removal

I am so sorry for your lose.. My prayers will be with all of you..
By KillerB

3/27/09 at 10:41 a.m.

Suggest removal

"Wolf was covered in tattoos from his toes to his nose ..."

The nose in his picture doesn't show any ink. So what else about this article isn't true?
By rumrunner

3/27/09 at 10:47 a.m.

Suggest removal

Its stories such as these that make my day go by, i in no way mean any disrespect for all of yours lose,but the amount of respect that these men showed is what america is all about! My prayers to all of you and may you continue your good with many more riders.
By redferret

3/27/09 at 11:25 a.m.

Suggest removal

Here's a concept Killer: Maybe that was an old pic. Maybe those sunglasses covered a small one. Are you really that in a snit over that he might or might not have had a small tat on his nose?
By Marshall Allen (Staff)

3/27/09 at 11:34 a.m.

Suggest removal

Hey there KillerB, thanks for reading my story about Wolf's funeral. Just to clarify, I was using the term "from his toes to his nose" as a figure of speech. He did not literally have tattoos on his nose. It's just an expression to say that he had tattoos over most of his body.
By KillerB

3/27/09 at 1:21 p.m.

Suggest removal

Marshall -- thanx for the clarification.
By lvmachead

3/27/09 at 4:45 p.m.

Suggest removal

Thanx for the story. It shows that a person can always turn themselves around. It also shows the respect that exists in the biker world, including the "1 percenters."
By AngryReader

3/27/09 at 4:56 p.m.

Suggest removal

Yeah that toes to the nose expression had me conjuring up some wierd images.
By glocke17

3/27/09 at 11 p.m.

Suggest removal

Thanks for this story. Was a great send off to a really Great man. Wolf lived the life, a kinder gentle man you would be hard pressed to find. Everyone that knew you Wolf is better for it.
By vegasj

3/28/09 at 2:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

Bikers are evil, this story makes me vomit!!
By KillerB

3/28/09 at 9:45 a.m.

Suggest removal

vegasj -- then I hope this article was the finger in the back of your throat to make you have a long talk with Ralph on the Big White Phone.

If you don't like it don't read it.
By vegasj

3/28/09 at 9:52 a.m.

Suggest removal

Just what this country needs....

Wolf had been one of those outlaws, a "one-percenter," a member of the biker gangs notorious for intimidation and mayhem.
By GunslingerA10

3/28/09 at 11:24 a.m.

Suggest removal

Later Wolf

All feelings aside of what is right or wrong, this is a story of family and belonging, if readers can't understand that maybe they need to take of there rose colored glasses to see the world around them for what it is and who makes it turn.

Later Wolf
By starrynite7

3/28/09 at 10:34 p.m.

Suggest removal

Vegass: Are you kidding me? This man was a perfect role model for the fallen. I always tell my students that we can change at anytime in our lives. The fallen are the best kind of people because they have gone to hell and back and they chose the path of goodness. Each day we wake up and have the choice to follow good or evil. I am so happy this man was able to find peace on earth. More people will listen to his message BECAUSE he stumbled and then he picked him self up from the ashes. Like the Phonenix.
Rock on Wolf!! We salute you! Storm
By spearheadvnvmc

3/29/09 at 7:22 a.m.

Suggest removal

REST IN PEACE BROTHER TOO BAD PEOPLE LIKE VEGASJ ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT SOMEONE THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW. IT'S FUNNY BUT VEGASJ REMINDS ME OF ANOTHER PAMPERED AMERICAN HANOI JANE FONDA. MY PRAYERS AN RESPECT TO THE BROTHER AND HIS FAMILY. SPEARHEAD VNVMC
By bubbaPOG

3/30/09 at 10:23 a.m.

Suggest removal

It is always good to hear about a brother who has crossed over. Somewhere, someone is praying for those that are truly 1%'ers and those that are wannabee's. Thank God for the testimony (stories) that will be told with "Wolf" as one that came in out of the darkness into the light. Thanks for an uplifting story about bikers coming together and dropping their turf battles to honor a brother.
"Bubba" <"//><
National President
Prophets of God MM
By Rambo1958

4/3/09 at 10:57 a.m.

Suggest removal

For those who knew Wolf you would know he was a miricle from God. For those who did not know him, read HEB. 13-1:2 "DO NOT NEGLECT TO SHOW HOSPITALITY TO STRANGERS FOR BY THIS SOME HAVE ENTERTAINED ANGELS WITHOUT KNOWING IT". Wolf was always showing people that he cared about them and wanting to share the word of God with them. He just wanted you to know God and be saved. He cared that much for everybody, whether he knew you or not. I knew Wolf at his early stages of finding God and let me tell you he was a godly man. I am completely offended at some of the negative comments but I will ask you - Do you know God? If you don't, watch out. Your day will come and I pray that all that you've said and done has been forgiven. To my brother; I will see you soon. You are an awsome brother. Your words still live with most of us and I will miss bumping into you when I'm out and about. Love you Bro.
By slynn

4/3/09 at 12:36 p.m.

Suggest removal

Out of respect for my fallen brother, I will keep my comments to myself with regards to the negative comments about this article and disregard for metaphorical concepts. Instead, I would like to express my gratitude to the author for writing this story. In the brief moments of meeting Wolf, it was clear how he was accepting of other people (unlike many people). I know personally his desire was to see lives touched and blessed, as he was and is a blessing to my 9 yr. old son and family. Rather than place judgement on others, he expressed love to everyone- no matter their differences. I pray that this article will cause people to ponder the existance of such love and acceptece, and most importantly, forgiveness- a trait that most people seem to disregard. May this article melt the hearts of stone. Blessings to all and God bless... Wolf, until we meet again you are forever in our hearts!
By belfastlass

4/29/09 at 8:40 p.m.

Suggest removal

Praise God for men like Wolf who have experienced God's love and forgiveness in their lives and care enough for others to share the blessing of salvation!
By belfastlass

4/30/09 at 4:07 p.m.

Suggest removal

Praise God for men like Wolf who have experienced God's love and forgiveness in their lives and care enough for others to share the blessing of salvation. Wolf is now in the presence of the Lord and receiving his reward for a life lived for God's glory, but his family will need comfort and support. I hope all those who have been touched by Wolf's life will be there for Wolf's family...to encourage and help them in any way they can and show in a tangible way what Wolf means to them! Thank you, Marshall Allen for this sensitive coverage of the homegoing of a great man!