Friends, family, co-workers, and national leaders reflect

James Dobson,

founder chairman of Family Talk

“I met Don back in 1983 when I invited him to come do a radio program with us. That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. I saw that day just how committed he was to biblical morality in the culture. … Don didn’t care if people criticized him. He took the heat; he stood up for righteousness, and I admired that from the beginning. I drew my own confidence from him.”

JJ Jasper, AFR on-air personality

“Don had an open-door policy. He had a cluttered office, a $10 watch, and his family lived in the same home for decades. He drove the same car. He seemed like a regular guy on the one hand. But then one day at the office, I heard it announced over the intercom that President George H. W. Bush was on the phone for him. I stopped in my tracks, and I thought, You know, whatever I may accomplish in my lifetime, I know with 100% certainty, the president of the United States of America is not going to call and ask for my advice. …  That was Don Wildmon.”

Sandy Rios,

host of ‘Sandy Rios 24/7’ on AFR

“The battle we fought most fiercely together in D.C. was over gay marriage. [Along with others], we formed what became known as the Arlington Group. … The battles were fierce, and while others were given to compromise, Don was not. I admired him for that. We did everything we could to defend God’s design for marriage, but in the end we did not prevail. Still, Don remained a positive force to encourage courage. Unflappable. Indomitable. My brother, in the midst of a terrific battle. That’s the way I will always remember Don Wildmon.”

Lynda Wildmon,

wife

“On the way home from our first date, Don said, ‘Girl, I’m going to marry you.’ … I thought I’d met another nut. … The rest is history.”

Rebecca Davis, editor of
The Stand

“What a profound impact Brother Don has had and will continue to have on my life! It was an honor to know him, to work for him, to be taught by him, to be corrected by him, and to be loved and cared for by him.”

Mark Wildmon, son

“I came home one evening, and I turned on CNN. … The television program Moneyline with Lou Dobbs began to give a report about how the 7-Eleven company had taken the pornography out of all 4,500 of its stores. I was finding out that day what a great impact nationally the work of my dad and American Family Association was having on America.”

Gary Bauer,

president of American Values

“Don was always … the guy at the meeting or on the conference call or in the middle of the controversy that always stood firm for family, faith, and freedom. … For Don, it was always full speed ahead. When Don was in the battle with you, it made a difference. … He was like a rock. He never wavered.”

Mike Murphree, AFA board member and longtime friend

“With Brother Don, you were not allowed to sit on the fence. He expected you to be on his side of the fence and do what was right.”

Tim Wildmon,
son and AFA president

“My dad was a modern-day prophet. I don’t mean that in the sense that he ran around in a robe doing miracles. I mean that in the sense that he could see what was happening, look at the Scriptures, and make a prediction on what would happen if we continued to do things that were against the Word of God.”

Wesley Wildmon, grandson and AFA vice president

“Papa always had a long-term picture, a long-term goal. … He always looked down the road and didn’t just consider today. He had an unusual gift to be able to look into the future and make a move.”

Star Parker, founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education

“I remember when God pulled me up out of a literal gutter of life, Don was one of the first Christians that I saw in action. … I am so thankful for Don Wildmon touching my life in a personal way and touching this world for God.”

Ed Vitagliano, AFA executive vice president

“Brother Don was fashioned by God to be someone who was consumed with this ministry and its purpose, and that’s the way he lived out his life. It was extraordinary to see!

John Riley,

AFR host

“Brother Don was never one to back down from a fight. … He held on to the Word of God. Why did he not back down? Because he held the Word of God up high, he held families up high, and he held the freedoms we have in our country up high.”

Randall Murphree,

editor emeritus of The Stand

“My life has been enriched by a growing and fruitful friendship with three generations of Wildmons. Working with some of them side by side every day, worshiping with some on Sunday mornings, traveling with some occasionally – the roots have grown deep and strong. … May we all be challenged and motivated by their example.”

Wriley Wildmon,

granddaughter and director of AFA Foundation

“Papa used to say, ‘Let’s get some work done around here.’ One of the main things he taught me was always work hard and never quit. I definitely have my Papa’s drive and work ethic. … I’ve grown up here at American Family Association and have always loved Papa’s passion for this ministry and how he continues to inspire us and set a godly example for all of us.”