Donald Wildmon

Donald Wildmon, the founder of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian advocacy group, has died. The 85-year-old Mississippi native died on Thursday December 28 2023 from complications related to Lewy body dementia. Wildmon founded the AFA, first known as the National Federation for Decency, in 1977 after working as a pastor for the United Methodist Church. Since its inception, the conservative advocacy group has launched campaigns and boycotts to pressure corporations to avoid supporting causes the group opposed, such as LGBT anti-discrimination measures. In 1991, Wildmon launched American Family Radio, which set up radio stations across the U.S. to spread the AFA’s message. Wildmon led the AFA for 33 years, He stepped down in 2010, and his son, Tim Wildmon, now leads the organization. Born in Dumas, Wildmon graduated from Ripley High School in 1956 and from Millsaps College in 1960. After a stint in the U.S. Army, Wildmon was ordained as a United Methodist minister in 1964.