The conservative Christian community mourned the loss of one of the most influential figures and voices from the last several decades. Dr. James Dobson, prominent writer, award-winning radio talk show host, advisor to several presidents, and founder of the culturally and politically powerful Focus on the Family organization, passed away at the age of 89.
Dobson rose to prominence in the 1960s as a defender of traditional Christian values during a time when progressive notions were creeping into American society. He advocated for strong marriages, strict parenting, and living out a Bible-based life. In more recent times, his advocacy for Christian values ran him up against the crusades of the LGBT community vis-a-vis broadening ideas of marriage and sexual identity.
Dobson’s death was reported early in the morning on Thursday, August 21st of 2025 by Focus on the Family, the Christian-based organization he founded in 1977. Its social media account wrote of Dobson’s success creating and expanding the organization that would bear out his life’s mission. It stated, “Today we remember a hero of the faith. Our Founder, Dr. James C. Dobson, passed away this morning. Although we’re sorrowful over this loss, we are thankful for his legacy of family ministry that will live on for future generations, and rejoice that he is now in the presence of our Savior.”
Much was the theme of the somber reportage detailing Dobson’s life and works. Focus on the Family’s president, Jim Daly, offered a brief note of remembrance and celebration, remarking specifically on the tragic passing of a child and how it impacted Dobson forever and reflected on the empathy he shared for everyone around him.
“With Dr. Dobson’s passing, we remember the life of a gifted man who walked with the Lord. I’m thankful for his sensitivity to those who were weak, downtrodden, and sometimes overlooked,” Daly began. I recall one of the first times I witnessed Dr. Dobson’s heart for people. I had taken part in a dinner with several Focus on the Family supporters, and one couple told me the heart-wrenching story of the death of their 4-year-old son to lymphoma. The father shared how, for months, he had held his dying child at night, praying for God’s intervention. But their little boy lost his battle with cancer and slipped away.”
He continued: “When I relayed this story to Dr. Dobson, his eyes filled with tears and he said, “That’s one of the most devastating experiences a human being can suffer. The loss of a child would lead any parent to ask, ‘Why, God?’” He was heartbroken for that family. A few years later, he wrote When God Doesn’t Make Sense. Perhaps that book grew from Dr. Dobson’s emotional connection to families who suffer inexplicable tragedies. He heard many stories of family trauma through the years, and he grieved for each one. He never lost his heart for those who weep.
“Now, it is our turn to weep. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a friend to millions of listeners and readers around the world. Dr. Dobson’s presence will be sorely missed, but we rejoice in the knowledge that he is now joyfully in the presence of the God he served.”
Many news outlets also shared the expansive reach of Dobson’s Focus on the Family. The Associated Press provided an impressive resume of the his work and reach. Indeed, over the course of many decades its reach could not even be measured or quantified; however, at its peak it employed over 1,000 people and his radio show was broadcast to over 4,000 stations. He is said to have authored more than 70 books.
Featured image: Focus on the Family, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons