My wife Joan and I felt as if James and Shirley Dobson belonged to us because they began their ministry the same year that we got married in 1977. We started a family right away, and we relied so much on Dr. Dobson’s ideas on faith and family. We loved the Focus on the Family broadcasts on the radio. They were uplifting and informative, and we looked forward to them daily. It gave us great hope and direction. Our children loved “Adventures in Odyssey,” and they often acted out the stories and performed plays for us. We deeply trusted Dr. Dobson’s heart, and we embraced his guidance and mentorship. We felt as if this ministry was started just for us! We were a military family, and, as our family grew and moved often, we were so grateful that we could take Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family with us wherever we went. We will be forever grateful for Dr. Dobson’s amazing life and legacy, and his profound impact on our family and our lives. We offer our deepest sympathy and gratitude to Shirley and the family for sharing her husband and their wonderful father with us and with the rest of the world. Jon & Joan Stapley, San Antonio, TX

Posted on August 23, 2025
By admin
In Tributes

Jonathan

There are not enough words to express my appreciation for Dr. James Dobson and his ministry. His books, Focus on the Family magazines, and radio messages provided much-needed guidance when I was raising my children. We loved the age-appropriate movies and magazines too. Since the inception of the radio programs and podcasts of Family Talk, I continue to learn and value the information from Dr. Dobson‘s messages and interviews, and those of his associates, even during these grandparenting years. My deepest appreciation, prayers, and condolences to Shirley and family. Dr. Dobson will be sorely missed. May God continue to bless the ministry of Family Talk.

There is so much I could say about James Dobson, and how his broadcast helped me get through life. I feel such a loss at his departure to heaven, yet oh what a celebration there must have been when that precious man was welcomed into the arms of Jesus! After getting married at 24, my husband and I accepted the Lord on the same day. This, of course, was God‘s plan, because a couple months later I found out I was pregnant with our first child. I had a wonderful neighbor down the road who was also a young Christian. She introduced me to Focus on the Family with James Dobson. At 10 o’clock every morning, I sat in front of the radio and listened to Focus as Dr. Dobson helped me learn to be a mom, a wife and, most of all, a Christian. Our new baby was born with a severe birth defect. We spent more days than I can count in the hospital, me taking the day shift, my husband taking the nights. I don’t believe I would’ve made it through those years without the steady voice of Dr. Dobson, every day, reassuring me that, indeed, I would get through this with the help of God! The years to follow were filled with advice passed along to me and my husband through the wise words of James Dobson. I can honestly say he taught us to be more like Christ every day. Dr. Dobson was a blessing to so many people; he will be greatly missed! I’m looking forward to meeting him in heaven one day! Peg

We will miss wonderful conservative points of life lessons!