Founder of the American Family Association dies in Mississippi

Donald Wildmon, the founder of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian advocacy group, has died

TUPELO, ma'am. — Donald Wildmon, the founder of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian advocacy group, has died, the organization announced Thursday.

The 85-year-old Mississippi resident died Thursday of complications related to Lewy body dementia, according to an obituary published by WTVA-TV. Wildmon died in Tupelo, Mississippi, the city where the American Family Association is based. The obituary called Wildmon “one of the legendary leaders of American conservatism.”

“His impressive legacy of Christian ministry will live on for many years to come,” Republican Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Wildmon founded the AFA, first known as the National Federation for Decency, in 1977 after serving as a pastor for the United Methodist Church.

Since its founding, the conservative advocacy group has launched campaigns and boycotts to pressure companies not to support causes the group opposes, such as LGBT anti-discrimination measures.

In 1991, Wildmon launched American Family Radio, which set up radio stations across the US to spread the AFA's message. Wildmon led the AFA for 33 years, the obituary said. He stepped down in 2010 and his son, Tim Wildmon, now leads the organization.