Dr. James Dobson, Founder of Focus on the Family, Dies at 89

Influential conservative Christian leader and presidential advisor passes away after brief illness

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Dr. James Clayton Dobson Jr., the founder of Focus on the Family, passed away Thursday morning. He was 89 years old and had been ill for a short time. Dobson was a key figure in conservative Christian circles in America.

The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute shared the news of his passing. They said he “went home to be with the Lord peacefully.” Dobson’s death ends nearly fifty years of ministry. His work shaped both evangelical Christianity and American politics.

A Legacy of Faith and Family Advocacy

Dobson was born on April 21, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He earned his Ph.D. in child development from the University of Southern California in 1967. A career in child psychology changed into a major Christian media empire in America.

In 1977, Dobson started Focus on the Family. It became one of the largest evangelical ministries in the world. At its peak, it employed over 1,000 people. His daily radio program, “Focus on the Family,” was broadcast in over a dozen languages. It aired on more than 7,000 stations around the world. Each day, it reached about 220 million listeners in 164 countries.

““Dr. Dobson was a pioneer. He had deep convictions, and his voice shaped how generations see faith, family, and culture,” said Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. ““His strong leadership, honesty, and kindness helped many families succeed in a changing world.”

Political Influence and Presidential Advisory Role

Dobson’s impact reached well beyond Christian broadcasting. It touched the highest levels of American politics. He advised five U.S. presidents: Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. He was assigned to different commissions and was part of President Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board.

Dobson strongly supported traditional family values. He often opposed abortion rights and LGBTQ+ laws. He opposed laws that would ban conversion therapy. He often talked about what he saw as threats to traditional family structures.

Media Empire and Continued Ministry

Focus on the Family moved its headquarters to Colorado Springs in 1991. This made the city a key center for evangelical Christianity. In 2010, Dobson left Focus on the Family. He launched the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute to further his mission. He also runs the “Family Talk” radio show, which is aired nationwide.

The program airs on 1,500 radio outlets. It has over half a million listeners each week, according to the institute. Dobson took a step back from daily leadership in 2022, yet he hosted his radio show until his death.

Controversy and Criticism

Dobson’s ministry was not without controversy. The Southern Poverty Law Center and other groups criticized Focus on the Family. They oppose LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedoms. His support for corporal punishment and views on gender roles faced backlash from child development experts and progressive groups.

Surviving Family

Dobson is survived by his wife, Shirley, whom he was married to for 64 years. He also leaves behind two children, Dana and Ryan, a daughter-in-law, Laura, and two grandchildren. His wife, Shirley, was chairperson for the National Day of Prayer from 1991 to 2016.

Remembering a Transformative Figure

Conservative author Eric Metaxas praised Dobson as “a hero.” He shared on social media, “It has been one of the great honors of my life to know Dr. James Dobson.” He was not afraid to bring his faith into the public sphere for God’s purposes”.

Craig DeRoche, president and CEO of Family Policy Alliance, said, “Dr. Dobson’s legacy as a trusted advocate for faith, family, and biblical values is unmatched. His work still shapes our nation.”

Dr. Dobson’s death marks the end of an era for evangelical Christianity in America. His 88-year journey changed him from a child psychologist to a key religious figure of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.