Dr. James Clayton Dobson Jr., founder of the influential ,[object Object], Christian ministry and a prominent evangelical leader, died on August 21, 2025, at the age of 89. Born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dobson was a psychologist renowned for his efforts to champion traditional family values in America. He founded ,Focus on the Family, in 1977 in Arcadia, California, and successfully grew it into one of the largest evangelical ministries in the world. The organization later moved its headquarters to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1991, where it remains based. Under Dobson's leadership, the ,Focus on the Family, daily radio program was broadcast on more than 4,000 stations across North America and translated into 27 languages, reaching listeners in over 160 countries. Dobson's ministry was known for its conservative stance on family and social issues and was widely regarded as a powerful voice in evangelical Christian circles .
Dobson's career began as a psychologist and clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California. He developed his philosophy during the cultural upheaval of the 1960s, which he perceived as a crisis of moral absolutes and a disintegration of the family unit. His 1970 book, Dare to Discipline, advocated firm parental authority and corporal punishment. Dobson viewed traditional heterosexual marriage and gender roles as critical pillars of society and campaigned extensively against the rise of feminism and LGBTQ rights, which he regarded as threats to the family structure. He resigned from the ,[object Object], in protest after it removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1973. Dobson’s early work also included counseling on marriage and family, influenced by the conservative ideologies of his mentor, Paul Popenoe .
Beyond media and publishing, Dobson played a significant role as a political and cultural influencer, advising five U.S. presidents: Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. He served on President Trump's Evangelical Executive Advisory Board starting in 2016. Throughout his career, Dobson was actively involved in shaping national conversations on critical issues such as teen pregnancy prevention, anti-abortion advocacy, gambling, and the fight against pornography. He was known for mobilizing evangelical Christians in socio-political campaigns, effectively blending religious advocacy with conservative political activism. His legacy includes founding organizations like the ,[object Object], and several Family Policy Councils aimed at influencing state-level politics .
After leaving ,Focus on the Family, in 2010, Dobson established the ,[object Object],, a smaller organization to continue his mission with a more personal touch centered around his broadcasts and teachings. A prolific author, he wrote over 70 books, including bestsellers like The New Dare to Discipline and When God Doesn't Make Sense, which remain influential in Christian households. Dobson's impactful ministry, writings, and political advisory roles have left an enduring mark on evangelical Christianity and American conservative social policy. He is survived by his wife Shirley, their children Danae and Ryan, daughter-in-law Laura, and two grandchildren .
