StaffWith profound sadness, CEDIA shares the news of the passing of Ponch Wildman, husband of CEDIA Board Chairperson Amanda Wildman. A valued member of the CEDIA family, Ponch unexpectedly passed last week at the age of 45. The entire community joins CEDIA in mourning this unspeakable loss and sends its support to Amanda and their children Morgan and Tyler. What follows is the official obituary issued by CEDIA.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established for those who wish to support the family during this difficult time.
Randolph (Ponch) Donald Wildman Jr. June 14, 1980 – June 4, 2026
Randolph (Ponch) Donald Wildman Jr., born June 14, 1980, peacefully entered into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 4, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, mentorship, adventure, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the people he loved.
Ponch was always quick to point out that he was born on Flag Day, a fact he shared proudly throughout his life. In more recent years, he took even greater delight in telling anyone who would listen that the President of the United States happened to share his birthday as well.
To know Ponch was to know someone who could solve almost any problem, make friends wherever he went, and turn even the most ordinary day into an unforgettable adventure. He possessed a unique combination of technical brilliance, entrepreneurial vision, infectious enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to the people and causes he cared about most.
Born with an entrepreneurial spirit and an unmatched ability to troubleshoot, Ponch built a life centred on helping others. Whether solving a complicated technology problem, mentoring a young athlete, supporting a friend, or helping a family create the home of their dreams, he approached every opportunity with creativity, determination, and a genuine desire to make life better for those around him.
On August 1, 2003, Ponch married the love of his life, Amanda. Together, they embarked on what would become one of the greatest adventures of their lives, building both a family and a business. That same year, they founded TruMedia.
One of the most significant chapters of Ponch’s life began after meeting Amanda. Through her influence, encouragement, and the life they built together, Ponch developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that became a cornerstone of his life. While he would become known for his business accomplishments, coaching success, and leadership, he often considered his faith journey to be among the greatest blessings he ever received.
As Morgan and Tyler grew, Ponch worked intentionally to pass that gift on to them. More than any lesson he taught, championship he celebrated, or opportunity he created, he hoped his children would know the same faith, hope, and purpose that had become so meaningful in his own life. Watching them develop their own relationship with Christ became one of his greatest joys and one of the legacies he was most proud to leave behind.
The story behind the company name became a favourite family memory. When asked what “TruMedia” stood for, Ponch’s daughter Morgan confidently explained as a young girl that it was obvious: the logo contained a “T” and an “M,” which clearly stood for Tyler and Morgan. The only problem was that Ponch and Amanda had started and named the company more than three years before Tyler was even born. It became one of countless stories that perfectly captured the humour, creativity, and family-centred spirit that defined the Wildmans.
For Ponch, business was never just work. TruMedia became a true family adventure. He had a unique ability to make every project an experience, especially when his children were young. Business trips often became what he affectionately called “work-cations.” Whether traveling for installations, training, or client projects, he always found a way to create family memories, explore somewhere new, or discover the next adventure. His belief was simple: work hard, but enjoy the journey. Those adventures created memories that his family will cherish forever.
Professionally, Ponch became known as the person who could fix anything. Jokingly referring to himself as a ‘Jack-of-all-trades, Master-of-Many’. If technology failed, or if a project seemed impossible, people called Ponch. He had a remarkable gift for seeing solutions where others saw obstacles. Through TruMedia, he helped countless families create homes that were more enjoyable for the people who lived in them. More importantly, he built relationships that lasted decades and earned the trust and friendship of clients throughout Michigan and beyond.
While Ponch was proud of the business he built, nothing in his life brought him greater joy than his children, Morgan and Tyler.
In recent years, he watched with immense pride as Morgan developed into a strong, independent woman whose vision and creativity often reminded him of himself. As a Project Manager at TruMedia, Morgan became an integral part of the family business, developing a particular passion and expertise for lighting and shading projects. Some of Ponch’s favourite conversations with her in this role revolved around brainstorming new ideas, discussing project details, and sharing excitement over her creative eye for detail. In earlier years, he was the loudest and proudest parent in the stands watching her pursue her passion in volleyball. He loved seeing her competitive spirit that she inherited from him. Watching Morgan grow into a leader was one of his greatest rewards.
Ponch was equally proud of Tyler. Together, father and son discovered the addictive world of clay target sports, a journey that would become one of the most meaningful chapters of Ponch’s life. As Tyler’s passion for the sport grew, Ponch became his biggest supporter, advocate, mentor, and travel companion. He helped develop Tyler’s Tru2Shooters platform, immersed himself in the clay target community, and became deeply involved with organizations including Kent County Conservation League, Bellevue Conservation Club, and most recently Centerline.
There was nowhere Ponch was happier than on the road with Tyler, traveling across the country to competitions, supporting his son’s dreams, and creating memories together. He worked tirelessly to provide every opportunity possible for Tyler to pursue his passion and develop as both an athlete and a young man. What started as supporting his son soon became one of Ponch’s greatest passions as well.
One of the defining characteristics of the Wildman family was that they did everything together. Whether building a business, traveling, supporting athletic pursuits, tackling projects, or pursuing new opportunities, they approached life as a team. Ponch believed some of life’s greatest accomplishments were those achieved together, and few things made him happier than watching his family work side-by-side.
While the pride Ponch felt for Morgan and Tyler individually was immeasurable, it was only slightly eclipsed by the pride he felt watching them work together. In recent years, one of his greatest joys was seeing his children join forces to establish a Turning Point USA chapter at The University of Olivet. Together, the Wildmans embraced a shared passion for civic engagement, leadership, and public policy.
For Ponch, whose life was guided by the principles of Faith, Family, Country and Work, seeing his family pursue these interests together represented the continuation of values he had worked hard to instill. Just this past week, he experienced one of his proudest moments when he saw one of his children’s names appear on an official ballot for the very first time as Morgan was listed as a Delegate Nominee. He shared the news with excitement and pride, knowing it was only the beginning of what she could accomplish.
He was equally proud of Tyler’s aspirations for leadership and public service. Ponch loved discussing the future political aspirations of Tyler and often shared with others the goals and ambitions his son hoped to pursue. Whether speaking with family, friends, clients, or complete strangers, he never missed an opportunity to brag about his children.
His involvement in clay target sports eventually brought him back to his alma mater, The University of Olivet, where he accepted the role of Head Coach of the Clay Target Team beginning in 2025. Returning to the university that helped shape his own future was a full-circle moment and ultimately became an accomplishment he was very proud of.
In his first full season as head coach, Ponch led an extraordinary group of athletes, including his son, Tyler, to a historic achievement. Under his leadership, The University of Olivet Clay Target Team captured the university’s first-ever national championship by winning the ACUI Division II Classic All-Around National Championship. For Ponch, the victory represented far more than a trophy. It was the culmination of the countless hours he spent investing in young people, building confidence, creating opportunities, and helping athletes discover what they were capable of achieving.
The clay target sports community quickly became his second family. Not a day went by that Ponch wasn’t proudly wearing apparel supporting The University of Olivet, Tru2Shooters, one of the clubs he loved, or the broader clay target sports community. He developed friendships that spanned the country and found great joy in helping athletes and families navigate the sport he had grown to love.
Beyond coaching and business, Ponch served on the Board of Directors for the Kent County Conservation League, helping strengthen community engagement, youth programming, and organizational growth. He was passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation and ensuring that young people had the support they needed to succeed.
Ponch was preceded in death by his beloved grandfather, Paul Foren, whose influence helped shape his character, work ethic, and determination.
He is survived by his loving wife, Amanda Wildman, his daughter, Morgan Wildman; his son, Tyler Wildman; along with countless extended family members, friends, employees, clients, athletes, teammates, and members of the communities he loved and served.
Those who knew Ponch will remember a man who never met a stranger, never backed down from a challenge, and never hesitated to help someone in need. He was a visionary, a problem solver, an adventurer, a coach, a husband, a father, and a friend.
His legacy is not measured by the projects he completed, the businesses he built, or even the championships he helped win. It is measured by the people he invested in, the opportunities he created, the adventures he shared, and the family he loved so deeply.
The adventures may have ended too soon, but the stories, lessons, laughter, and the legacy of Ponch will continue to inspire all who knew him for generations to come.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. and Friday, June 12, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 11:00 a.m. at Ada Christian Reformed Church, 7152 Bradfield Street SE, Ada, MI 49301, with Gene DeJong officiating.
Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather for a luncheon and time of fellowship at the Kent County Conservation League, 8461 Conservation Street NE, Ada, MI 49301, where memories, stories, and reflections on Ponch’s life will be shared.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation as the family is working to develop a scholarship in his name for The University of Olivet and some additional opportunities to support the clay target sports that Ponch so truly loved.