Donald Wildmon Obituary – Death: Led Film, TV Boycotts For American Family Assn., Passed Away At 85
Donald E. Wildmon, founder of the American Family Association, passed away on Dec. 28 in Tupelo, Miss., at the age of 85, due to Lewy body dementia, as stated by the American Family Association.
Wildmon’s organizations were known for their advocacy regarding the portrayal of sexuality and certain themes in American TV shows and the arts. They took a stance against content they deemed inappropriate. For instance, they criticized the 1990s police drama NYPD Blue for what they considered suggestive scenes and protested a Hollywood studio over Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ.
In 1982, Wildmon called for national brands to withdraw ads from an NBC-TV movie written by poet Maya Angelou, titled Sister, Sister, claiming it promoted negative stereotyping of Christian people.
Wildmon also spearheaded campaigns against the National Endowment for the Arts for its grants supporting work that was viewed by many conservatives as objectionable.
In 1977, the pastor founded the National Federation for Decency, later renamed the American Family Association. He is survived by his wife, Lynda Bennett Wildmon, three children – Tim, Angela, and Mark Wildmon, as well as Donna Wildmon Clement. Additionally, he is remembered by a sister, Louise Yancy, six grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.