Mr. & Mrs. Don
As a new Christian, I discovered Focus on the Family’s broadcast and therefore Dr. Dobson. He was such an integral part of our parenting. Raising three boys was hard, but Dr. Dobson’s radio program and books helped us shape them into Christ-loving men. From childhood to the teenage years, Dr. Dobson helped us be better parents and even better husband and wife. I even have the story he wrote about his mom and dad printed out – such a love story that touched my heart, and I’m sure so many others. I’m also sure that Dr. Dobson is in the presence of Christ right now, and I believe Jesus has said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Carol
Dr. Dobson, through Focus on the Family, is why my 2 daughters (because their dad and I divorced) turned out so well. Many times I gained much wisdom from his program about what I should do. I have his last book, Your Legacy. My condolences to Shirley and children. He will be missed, but thankfully he’s with his Savior whom he loved so much. ❤
Julianna
My deepest condolences on your loss but joyful for our hope in the future reunion in heaven through our blessed Savior Jesus.
Patricia
Above all, Dr. Dobson encouraged me to STAND! My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Sylvia
I was saddened to hear of Dr Dobson’s passing, although, almost immediately, I was happy for him. I cannot express how much I appreciated and benefited from Dr. Dobson’s teaching, whether in talk, articles, or books. I followed his advice many times in raising my children in the 1980s. May God raise up more voices to continue the messages Dr. Dobson so tirelessly proclaimed through the years. May Shirley and the rest of the family rest in a peace that passes understanding! With love, Cindy
Cindy
We first met Jim in a small venue at Central Christian Church in San Jose. He was introducing his VHS tape series. The tapes were called the “Focus on the Family Film Series”—a seven-part set of his live family-seminar talks. The seminars were filmed March 26, 1977 at Trinity University (San Antonio) and rolled out to churches as a film series in 1978. That was the beginning. We took our granddaughter to the FOF campus, and she was just in time to take a role in a radio play that FOF would broadcast. Wow! A few years later we visited the Family Talk location, also in Colorado Springs. They were still fleshing out that new facility, but they were operational. We had an excellent tour and met several staff members. We would have met Jim for the 2nd time, but he had been asked, along with others in a White House council, to be there with the president. So we knew him before FOF, and supported him there and at Family Talk as we were able. A wonderful ministry, a journey completed, and you have heard the “well done!” that we all want to hear – by your example of being effective, and then refusing to retire, and being effective again. Your dad stayed in ministry to a point you always wanted to achieve. It surely looks as if you did that. It wasn’t our first visit to Colorado Springs – we had been visiting there annually for about 30 years.
Dean and Brenda
It’s hard to believe that two of my heroes in the Christian faith have gone home to be with the Lord this month. The first was Dr. MacArthur, and now Dr. James Dobson—“Doc,” as I affectionately called him. As I’ve read through countless tributes to Doc, one theme stands out again and again: he was a man who walked his talk. He was the same person behind the scenes as he was on the platform—genuine, caring, and deeply committed to living out his faith. Years ago, when I was working at Focus on the Family, my wife Holly faced a serious health crisis after being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. Before her surgery, Doc himself came to the hospital to visit us and pray with us. That simple act of kindness left a lasting mark on my heart. After Holly’s successful surgery, I wrote to thank him—and in return, he sent us a full-length, handwritten letter expressing his gratitude to God for her recovery and assuring us of his continued prayers. Every time I saw him after that, I would give him updates about Holly’s health. I’ll never forget the big hug he gave me when I told him she was expecting a child—something the doctors had said would never happen naturally – and then another hug when we shared the news of our next child! That was who he was: genuinely rejoicing with those who rejoiced, truly bearing others’ burdens. Doc finished well. He loved the Lord. He loved people. And he left behind a legacy of faithfulness and compassion that will not be forgotten.
Paul
I first learned about Dr. Dobson in the early-to-mid ’90s. I listened to his FOTF broadcast daily for decades. Then I listened to him on Family Talk. I give him credit for re-fathering me and helping me to realize why I grew up an angry boy and had behaviors that I could not shake. God used Dr. Dobson in powerful ways to heal me, mature my faith in Christ, and much more! I am one of millions that Dr. Dobson blessed mightily. I will miss him, and I look forward to seeing him in Heaven. God bless his family during this time of such sorrow.
Robert
Dr. James Dobson spearheaded a movement to maintain the truths of the Bible as our world crumbled within and around us. Against all odds, we are still married today (43 yrs.) because of his books, broadcasts, Adventures in Odyssey’s family modeling, & his fatherly fortitude on the issues of our day. Our own five grown sons now express courage to be standard-bearers for family, faith, freedom, & truth in their own lives. Dr. Dobson’s influence on our lives through his ministry at Focus on the Family & his books certainly have contributed to that effect. There is no end to the power of a force for good resulting from one simple man’s example of a surrendered life! Thank you sincerely to the family, who most certainly sacrificed much to release such a great man to his destiny. We pray for the peace and comfort of Christ for you in this deep, earthly loss.
Ca