Christian leader Dr. James Dobson, former advisor to five presidents, dead at 89

Dr. James Dobson, founder of the Focus on the Family Christian ministry and former advisor to five U.S. presidents, has died at 89.

Dobson, a psychologist widely regarded as one of the most influential Christian leaders of the past half-century, passed away Thursday morning, the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) announced.

“Dr. Dobson was a pioneer — a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family, and culture,” said Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the JDFI.

“His bold leadership, integrity, and compassion helped equip countless families to thrive in a world of shifting values. He was a mentor, a counselor, and a steady voice of truth in turbulent times.”

Dobson was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1936 and went on to dedicate his life to strengthening marriages, guiding parents and defending biblical values by championing the central role of family in America.

He founded Focus on the Family in Arcadia, California, in 1977 and grew it into one of the largest evangelical ministries in the world. The organization later relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1991, which remains its headquarters today.

In 2010, after leaving Focus, Dobson created JDFI as a smaller but more personal institute to continue his mission, with a sharper emphasis on his own broadcast and teaching.

A New York Times best-selling author and Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster, Dobson wrote more than 70 books dedicated to family preservation, including “The New Dare to Discipline” and “When God Doesn’t Make Sense,” which remain staples in Christian homes today. 

His leadership extended beyond media and publishing and he advised or counseled 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, a group of prominent faith leaders assembled in 2016 to provide counsel on issues important to evangelicals.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; their children, Danae and Ryan; daughter-in-law Laura; and two beloved grandchildren.