Johnny Lee Clary

Johnny Lee Clary was brought up in an environment steeped in racism.  He experienced the traumatic loss of his father to suicide at the young age of 11.    Later in life while pursuing a career in professional wrestling, Clary  joined the Klu Klux Klan, ascending to the position of Imperial Wizard of the White Knights in 1989.   However, a significant transformation occurred a few years later after reading the Bible story of the prodigal son (Luke 15),  Johnny had a life changing moment:  "I finally got on my knees and said, God, my life is screwed up. God, I'm in a mess. I need your help . . . I felt like a new person, brand new creation... a weight lifted off my shoulders." He then befriended NAACP member Wade Watts to counter the KKK, preaching anti-racism the rest of his life, dying of a heart attack at 55 years old.   Was Johnny Lee Clary, a former KKK leader, forgiven for his racist behavior?