Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family founder, bestselling author, and one of the most influential evangelical voices of the past half-century, has died at the age of 89. The James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) announced his passing on Thursday morning, describing him as a “trailblazer whose voice shaped how generations thought about faith, family, and culture.”
A Life Dedicated to Faith and Family
Born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, James Dobson grew up in a devout Christian household that instilled in him a lifelong passion for defending biblical values and strengthening the American family. Trained as a psychologist, Dr. Dobson quickly became known for his practical advice on parenting, marriage, and cultural issues.
IHe established Focus on the Family in 1977. The ministry was formerly based in Arcadia, California, but in 1991 it moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. What began as a small organization soon grew into one of the largest and most influential evangelical ministries in the world.
At its height, Focus on the Family’s daily radio broadcast reached more than 4,000 stations across North America. The program was translated into 27 languages and aired in over 160 countries, making it one of the most widely heard faith-based radio programs ever produced.
Shaping America’s Christian Conservative Movement
By the 1980s, Dr. Dobson had emerged as a Christian right leader, working alongside figures such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. He became a household name among millions of American families who tuned in for his advice on raising children, preserving marriages, and living according to biblical truth.
Gary Bauer, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at JDFI and a longtime ally, reflected on Dobson’s impact:
“Dr. Dobson was a man of deep faith and courage. His leadership and compassion prepared countless families to thrive in a world of shifting values. He was more than a counselor—he was a mentor and an unwavering voice of truth during turbulent times.”
Dobson’s influence extended well beyond the pulpit and the radio. He was a driving force in national debates on issues such as teen pregnancy prevention, pornography, gambling, and the sanctity of human life. A vocal opponent of abortion, he helped rally evangelical voters around pro-life causes. He also stood firmly against the legalization of same-sex marriage, warning that such cultural shifts would weaken the traditional family structure.
Advisor to Five U.S. Presidents
Throughout his career, Dr. Dobson was not only a Christian conservative movement leader but also an influential voice in American politics. He served as a counselor and advisor to five U.S. presidents: Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump.
In 2016, he was a member of President Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board, a select group of faith leaders assembled to provide spiritual and policy guidance on issues central to evangelical voters.
This rare ability to advise leaders across party lines highlighted Dobson’s role as a faith-based advisor whose voice carried significant weight in both religious and political spheres.
Author, Broadcaster, and Mentor
Beyond broadcasting, Dr. Dobson was a prolific writer. He authored more than 70 books on family preservation and Christian living, many of which remain staples in Christian households today. His works included The New Dare to Discipline, Love for a Lifetime, and When God Doesn’t Make Sense.
His approachable writing style and useful advice assisted parents in overcoming the difficulties of parenting while upholding Christian principles. Even now, after his death, Dobson’s writings are still relevant as a New York Times bestselling author and Radio Hall of Fame inductee.
In 2010, after stepping down from Focus on the Family, he launched the James Dobson Family Institute, a smaller, more personal ministry that carried forward his mission of teaching, broadcasting, and mentoring families.
Legacy of Influence
For more than five decades, A major influence on how evangelicals interacted with politics and culture was James Dobson. His emphasis on family stability, marriage, and moral responsibility deeply influenced the direction of the Christian conservative movement in the United States.
His leadership was not without controversy, particularly his outspoken stance against same-sex marriage and his efforts to oppose abortion rights. Yet even his critics acknowledged his ability to mobilize millions of evangelical Christians and bring family-centered issues to the forefront of American political life.
Dobson’s legacy as an evangelical activist is tied to his belief that strong families are the foundation of a stable society. Whether through radio broadcasts, bestselling books, or political advocacy, his message was consistent: defend the family, preserve Christian values, and prepare future generations to live faithfully in a changing world.
Remembering His Life and Family
Shirley, Dr. Dobson’s wife of 64 years, their children Ryan and Danae, their daughter-in-law Laura, and two grandkids survive him. His long marriage stood as a personal testament to the family principles he so passionately championed.
To many who followed his work, Dobson was not just a public figure but also a mentor, counselor, and Christian family values leader. His passing marks the end of an era in American evangelical life, but his writings, broadcasts, and ministry organizations will continue to influence future generations.