Rev. Dr. Donald Ellis Wildmon, best known as the founder of the American Family Association (AFA), passed away last month at the age of 85.
According to CBN News, Wildmon died on Dec. 28, 2023, in Tupelo, Mississippi, following a years-long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. A memorial service for Wildmon was held two days later (Dec. 30).
"My father was a man with great conviction and vision," said Don’s son and current AFA President Tim Wildmon in a statement. "He knew how important it was for Christians to remain firmly entrenched in their faith in the face of an openly immoral society, and he lived his life for the Gospel every single day."
"His heart for Christ and his passion for the American family will be sorely missed, but we on Earth can take comfort in knowing that he is at peace with his Heavenly Father, hearing the words, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant,'" he continued.
Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves also issued a statement in honor of Wildmon.
"His impressive legacy of Christian ministry will live on for many years to come,” Reeves wrote on X.
Wildmon founded the AFA in 1977 after he became alarmed at unbiblical content on television. At the time, he was a father to four young children, served as a pastor of a church in Southaven, Mississippi, and challenged his congregation to turn their television sets off for a week. The challenge set out by Wildmon caught wind of the locals and later drew national attention.
Wilson also launched the American Family Radio network in 1991, which grew immediately to 200 stations.
"Don was a remarkable man who I had the privilege of working very closely with during my first decade at FRC,” Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, wrote in a statement. “Don had the true heart of a servant. He wasn't fazed by criticism because he was not interested in the accolades of man; he was focused on making sure the cultural forces of the country didn't prevent or inhibit the saving message of the Gospel...I am thankful for godly men like Don Wildmon."
Wildmon is survived by his wife, Lynda, and four children, six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one sister, one sister-in-law, and one brother-in-law.
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
