On Thursday, August 21, 2025, the world bid farewell to Dr. James Dobson, a towering figure in America’s evangelical and social conservative landscape, who died at his home in Colorado Springs at the age of 89. A child psychologist by training, Dobson’s life was a testament to his unyielding commitment to faith, family, and traditional values, leaving an indelible mark on millions of lives through his radio programs, books, and the influential organizations he founded. His passing, announced by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, marks the end of an era for a man whose voice shaped generations, even as it sparked fierce debate.
Born on April 21, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana, James Clayton Dobson Jr. grew up steeped in the traditions of the Church of the Nazarene, the son, grandson, and great-grandson of ministers. His academic journey led him to a doctorate in psychology from the University of Southern California in 1967, where he honed his expertise in child development. This foundation would propel him into a career that blended scholarly insight with a deep-seated belief in biblical principles, reshaping how evangelicals approached parenting and public policy.
Dobson’s rise to prominence began in the 1970s with his groundbreaking book, *Dare to Discipline*, a bold call for parents to embrace strict, biblically rooted child-rearing practices, including corporal punishment to enforce boundaries. The book struck a chord, challenging the progressive parenting ethos of the era, epitomized by Dr. Benjamin Spock. It was a rallying cry for conservative Christians, cementing Dobson’s reputation as a trusted guide for families navigating a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
In 1977, Dobson founded Focus on the Family in Pomona, California, an organization that would become a juggernaut in the evangelical world. Relocating to Colorado Springs in 1991, Focus grew into a sprawling 88-acre campus, employing over 1,000 people at its peak and broadcasting Dobson’s radio program to millions across 4,000 stations in North America and beyond, translated into 27 languages. His warm, avuncular style—described as a sharp departure from the fire-and-brimstone sermons of his peers—drew listeners in, offering practical advice on marriage, parenting, and faith. “Dr. Dobson’s impact endures through the many lives he touched, the families he strengthened, and the unshakable faith he proclaimed,” his family said in a heartfelt statement following his death.
Dobson’s influence extended far beyond the airwaves. He became a political force in the 1980s, alongside evangelical giants like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, advocating for conservative Christian values in the public square. He founded the Family Research Council in 1981, a think tank that championed socially conservative causes, and later established Focus on the Family Action (now Family Policy Alliance), which raised millions to support Republican candidates and push for policies like a 2006 Colorado amendment to ban same-sex marriage. His advocacy against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights was unwavering, often polarizing. Critics, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, labeled his Family Research Council a hate group for its anti-gay rhetoric, a charge Dobson and his allies fiercely rejected. Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out described Dobson’s legacy as “cruelty disguised as Christianity,” while Dobson dismissed such critiques, writing in 2019 that “left-wing activists typically hate committed Christians.”
A confidant to five U.S. presidents—Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump—Dobson’s counsel was sought on issues ranging from pornography to youth justice. His influence peaked in the political realm when he served on Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board in 2016, after initially backing Ted Cruz in the Republican primaries. Dobson’s support for Trump culminated in his praise for the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, a moment he called a divine victory.
In 2010, Dobson stepped away from Focus on the Family, passing leadership to Jim Daly, and founded the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, where he continued his radio program, *Family Talk*, syndicated on 1,500 stations with over half a million weekly listeners. Even after relinquishing leadership of his institute in 2022, Dobson remained a prolific voice, hosting his final broadcast just days before his death on August 15, 2025. His son, Ryan, and daughter, Danae, carried forward his legacy, with Ryan co-hosting *Family Talk* until 2016 and authoring works echoing his father’s conservative ethos.
Dobson’s personal life was as steadfast as his public mission. Married to Shirley Deere for 64 years, he leaves behind his wife, children, daughter-in-law Laura, and two grandchildren. An avid outdoorsman and hunter, Dobson’s love for the American heartland resonated with his audience, who saw in him a relatable champion of their values. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, placed Dobson on the “Mount Rushmore” of Christian conservatives, crediting him with building institutions that empowered evangelicals to shift the cultural tide.
Yet, Dobson’s legacy is not without controversy. His advocacy for conversion therapy and his attribution of societal issues like mass shootings to the “LGBTQ movement” drew sharp criticism. Even so, supporters like Gary Bauer, a senior vice president at Dobson’s institute, hailed him as a “pioneer” whose compassion and integrity equipped families to thrive in turbulent times. John Fea, an evangelical historian critical of Dobson’s politics, acknowledged his impact, noting how his father became a better parent through Dobson’s teachings, learning to discipline without anger.
As news of Dobson’s passing spread, tributes poured in, celebrating his role as a mentor, counselor, and voice of truth. “There will probably never be another one like him,” said Ralph Reed, a political organizer who recalled Dobson’s omnipresent voice on AM radio during his travels. In Colorado Springs, often dubbed the “Vatican of the West” for its evangelical hub, Dobson’s influence endures through the institutions and leaders he inspired.
James Dobson’s life was a clarion call to uphold faith and family in a world he saw as drifting from its moral moorings. Whether revered as a beacon of truth or reviled as a symbol of intolerance, his voice echoed across decades, shaping the soul of a nation. As the sun sets on his remarkable journey, his legacy—complex, enduring, and fiercely debated—lives on in the families he touched and the battles he fought.
