American Family Association founder Don Wildmon resigns as chairman due to poor health

AFA founder Don Wildmon resigns as chairman

JACKSON, Miss. — The Rev. Don Wildmon has resigned as chairman of the American Family Association that he founded and helped build into a Christian political movement.

AFA said Wednesday that the 72-year-old Wildmon’s resignation follows months of hospitalization, including treatment for encephalitis and cancer of his left eye.

Wildmon said his son Tim is expected to lead the ministry.

The retired Methodist minister founded his group in Tupelo in 1977 as the National Federation for Decency. The name was changed in 1988.

Wildmon built the organization into a ministry with a $20 million annual budget that owns 180 radio stations, a monthly magazine and has a large Internet following.