Dr. James Dobson, Founder of Focus on the Family and Influential Evangelical Leader, Dies at 89
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Dr. James Dobson, the child psychologist who rose from the world of Christian family counseling to become one of the most politically influential evangelical voices in America, has died at the age of 89. His death was confirmed on Thursday by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.
Dobson, who launched the conservative ministry Focus on the Family in 1977, was both revered and criticized for his outspoken views on parenting, faith, and culture. Over a career that spanned five decades, he authored more than 70 books, hosted one of the most widely syndicated Christian radio shows in the United States, and advised five American presidents.
Born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dobson trained as a child psychologist and began his public career in the 1970s with a radio program offering advice to Christian parents. His ability to blend psychological insights with biblical principles quickly gained him a following. That momentum led him to establish Focus on the Family in California, later moving it to Colorado Springs, where it grew into a global evangelical powerhouse with more than 1,000 employees at its peak.
Through his books, broadcasts, and counseling programs, Dobson became a household name in conservative Christian circles. Titles such as Dare to Discipline and Bringing Up Boys became bestsellers, praised by supporters for providing clear guidance to families seeking to raise children in line with biblical values.
But Dobson was not simply a family counselor. He became a central figure in the Christian right political movement, campaigning vigorously against abortion, same-sex marriage, and what he described as the erosion of traditional family structures. His activism often placed him in the national spotlight, making him a frequent guest at the White House and a sought-after voice during Republican presidential campaigns.
His critics argued that his teachings promoted intolerance, pointing to his endorsement of corporal punishment, his support for conversion therapy, and his fierce opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. For others, however, he was a source of clarity and conviction at a time when they felt cultural values were shifting rapidly away from faith.
Even after stepping down from Focus on the Family in 2010, Dobson continued his mission by founding the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. There, he maintained a smaller but still influential platform, broadcasting his “Family Talk” radio show and publishing writings that continued to shape evangelical thought.
“Dr. Dobson was a pioneer — a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped how generations of Christians viewed faith, family, and culture,” said Gary Bauer, a longtime colleague at the Institute. “Whether you agreed with him or not, his impact on American evangelical life cannot be denied.”
Dobson’s death marks the end of an era for a movement that he helped define. For decades, Focus on the Family served as both a counseling ministry and a political force, mobilizing millions of evangelicals to vote and participate in cultural debates. Analysts often credit Dobson with helping forge the alliance between conservative Christians and Republican politics that remains a defining feature of U.S. elections today.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, their children, Danae and Ryan, and a granddaughter. In a statement, his family described him as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose faith guided his every decision.
Dobson’s legacy is both celebrated and contested — a reminder of the power of religious leadership in shaping not just personal lives, but national conversations. To his admirers, he was a steadfast advocate for biblical family values; to his detractors, he represented a barrier to social progress. But in death, as in life, James Dobson remains a towering figure in the story of American evangelicalism.