Dr. James C. Dobson Jr., a prominent clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and one of the most influential voices in American evangelical Christianity, died on August 21, 2025, at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was 89 years old.
Born on April 21, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dobson built a decades-long career that blended psychological expertise with conservative Christian values. Over more than 50 years, he became a leading advocate for traditional family structures, marriage, parenting, and religious liberty, shaping cultural and political conversations through his radio broadcasts, books, and public ministry.
Dobson founded Focus on the Family (FOTF) in California in the mid-1970s. The organization quickly grew into a major evangelical institution dedicated to strengthening families. By the 1980s and 1990s, his daily radio program reached millions of listeners on more than 4,000 stations across North America and was translated into 27 languages for a global audience. In 1991, FOTF relocated to Colorado Springs, where it continued its work on issues including marriage, child-rearing, religious freedom, and pro-life advocacy.
A prolific writer, Dobson authored more than 70 books, many of which became bestsellers. Titles such as *The New Dare to Discipline* offered practical guidance on parenting rooted in biblical principles. He consistently warned against what he viewed as detrimental cultural shifts, including rising teen pregnancy rates, and promoted abstinence education while staunchly defending the sanctity of life from conception.
In 2010, Dobson stepped down from Focus on the Family and established the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) to carry forward his mission of supporting families and advocating for timeless values in an evolving society.
Dobson’s reach extended deeply into the political sphere. He advised multiple U.S. presidents, including George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. He served on Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board, helping to bridge conservative Christian communities with national policy discussions.
Throughout his career, Dobson was recognized as a pivotal figure in the religious right, often described by media outlets as one of the nation’s most influential evangelical leaders. His work emphasized the importance of faith-centered family life as foundational to a healthy society.
Dobson is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Shirley, and their family. His passing marks the end of an era for many in the evangelical community, though his organizations and extensive body of work ensure his influence on family values and faith-based advocacy will continue for generations.
