Dr. James Dobson, Influential Evangelical Leader and Founder of Focus on the Family, Dies at 89
Dr. James C. Dobson, the renowned psychologist, best-selling author, and founder of Focus on the Family, passed away on August 21, 2025, at the age of 89. The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute confirmed his death, marking the end of a remarkable life dedicated to family advocacy, Christian principles, and public service.
Born on April 21, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dobson rose to prominence as one of the most influential voices in American evangelical Christianity. Trained as a child psychologist, he earned a Ph.D. and initially worked at the University of Southern California School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. His expertise in child development and family dynamics propelled him into the national spotlight through radio programs, books, and public speaking.
In 1977, Dobson founded Focus on the Family, which grew into one of the nation’s largest evangelical ministries, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The organization provided resources on marriage, parenting, and faith while advocating for religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and traditional family values. Dobson’s daily radio broadcasts reached millions of listeners across the United States and internationally, offering practical advice rooted in Christian teachings.
A prolific author of more than 70 books, Dobson’s works include the seminal Dare to Discipline, which became a cornerstone parenting guide for generations. After stepping down from Focus on the Family in 2010, he established the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute and continued hosting the syndicated Family Talk radio program, extending his ministry’s impact.
Dobson’s influence extended into the political arena, where he advised multiple U.S. presidents and served on President Donald Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board. He played a key role in shaping national conversations on family policy, education, and the intersection of faith and public life. Supporters praised his unwavering commitment to moral principles and his efforts to strengthen American families, while critics challenged many of his conservative stances on social issues.
Throughout his career, Dobson remained a steadfast figure in the modern conservative Christian movement. He is survived by his wife of more than six decades, Shirley, their children Danae and Ryan, and numerous grandchildren. His legacy of equipping families with biblical wisdom and practical guidance continues to resonate through the institutions he built and the countless lives he touched.
