Tributes

We invite you to celebrate the life of Dr. James C. Dobson by sharing your thoughts and memories here.

Add A Tribute

This page will display the words of people from around the world who have been impacted by the life and ministry of Dr. James Dobson.

You may also leave your tribute by calling 844-823-2669.

Recent Tributes

Just wanted to say that Dr. Dobson helped in my marriage and also helped me raise 7 children, one adopted as a 10-year-old. I would listen to his video, read his books, and listen to Focus on the Family and Family Talk. My grandkids listen to Odyssey. He shaped the way I thought about how I should be as a wife and mother. Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for a life well lived for the Lord. Love and prayers for the family!❣️ 🙏☝️

Elaine

Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson were my anchors as a young mom. The insight and the inspiration to continue fighting for family values gave me strength and hope. Thank you, Dr. Dobson. I look forward to meeting you in eternity!

Tina

James Dobson has made a huge impact in my life. Listening to him over the years has uplifted me and provided me with hope in times of hopelessness. I am saddened by his passing; however, I can still hear him deep inside my heart – Jesus is the answer! I am filled with hope as I continue my journey here. Once my life is complete, I’ll enter the pearly gates, walk on streets of gold, worship Jesus, and visit with Brother Dobson. God bless you and comfort you! Sincerely, Keith Heide

Keith

As a young stay-at-home mother, I lived daily to hear God’s wisdom and guidance for raising a family with balanced love and discipline come from the lips of His servant, Dr. James Dobson. I knew nothing about parenting and would not miss an episode. I bought his books and read and reread them. Dr. Dobson gave detailed step-by-step guidance. The most important thing to me was that I would raise my children with a love for the Lord and that they would never leave the faith. That was my “dream come true,” and it happened for me. Each of my children love the Lord, and so do each of my grandchildren. Two of my teenage grandsons were baptized this past Sunday by my son (their dad), who is a pastor. That is Dr. James Dobson’s legacy in my family. Dr. Dobson was strong on balancing love and discipline, and getting them right was necessary. Thank you, Dr. Dobson! You never met me; you never even knew I existed, but your guidance for training our children influenced me along with many others for generations, now and for eternity. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Phyllis

Dr. James Dobson has made a profound impact on our lives. Newly married and becoming parents in the 1980s, we bought most of Dr. Dobson’s books on parenting and listened to his cassette tapes through the different stages of our 4 children’s ages. We are grateful for his faithfulness and showing by example living the Christian life. We shall miss you! Our love and prayers are for Shirley, Danae, and Ryan and his family at this time. We pray that the Lord will comfort you all. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with the whole world. God bless you all. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Elizabeth

Thank you, Dr. James Dobson, for your wealth of knowledge, wisdom, practical advice, integrity, and absolute love for the LORD. This is what you taught me, and I am truly thankful for the many gems shared in the shows on Focus on the Family that I listened to that supported my earlier days as a new Christian when Luis Palau came to NZ in the late ’80s. Fa’afetai Tele Lava! Manuia lau malaga, good and faithful servant.

Tulili

Dr. Dobson, “I know who I am, because I know whose I am.” Dr. Dobson, how do you describe someone who has inspired you and guided so many of your beliefs and instilled values in your life? Someone you never met, but heard his voice for decades as an influencer, mentor, and teacher. If I had to choose one word, it would be “genuine.” In his voice for years, I heard these qualities: Genuine kindness. Genuine concern. Genuine love. Genuine dedication. Genuine faith. Genuine empathy. Genuine commitment. Genuine perseverance to stand for what God called him to do. And he impacted so many by doing it. Such a warrior! So thankful for how he defended the faith. My life was certainly made better because of his teachings, books, interviews, and broadcasts over the years, his vision, his mission, his creations, and the inspirations he received from God and brought forth to life to spread the gospel. Such a gift from God, such a blessing, such a servant – a genuine servant. I’ll forever be grateful for his ministry and his faithfulness. And I will certainly miss his voice, his genuine voice that touched my life forever. Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for all you did to inspire and make my life better. Yvette Medina, Littleton, CO

Yvette

I was saddened to hear the news, but I’m really comforted by the truth of God’s Word that my dear “Papa Dobson” has slept in the LORD. Even though I never met him physically on earth, we will joyfully meet in heaven. I have loved and followed him since I was a teenager, listening to him, reading his books and materials. I remember my joy when I found “Family Man” in a bookstore. I could not afford it at the time, but I kept going back until I finally bought it and read it with delight. For years, Focus on the Family has been my “go-to” for Bible-based answers on everything family life. I started reading his books on parenting even before I became a mother. I have also introduced many friends and loved ones. May our good LORD strengthen and comfort Shirley, their children, grandchildren, and countless followers all over the world. I also pray that his legacy and impact will continue to transform lives for generations to come in Jesus’ name.

Temidayo

I lost a grandfather, father figure, mentor, and friend this week. The passing of Dr. James Dobson leaves a painful void in my life. I have listened to him since I was a child in the ’80s and ’90s. The realization of his impact in my life brings me to tears. I’ve been exposed to countless godly men and women on Family Talk that have shaped who I am as a follower of Jesus. Just this year, I was exposed to the ministry of Henry Blackaby that led me to his book Experiencing God. God has used that book to bring me back to his heart and surrender once again to his call on my life for the work of the ministry.

Evan

Dr. Dobson and Mrs. Dobson both helped me survive some very, very hard years of dealing with my abusive father, mother, family, and very abusive church with his radio shows and books and with her love, help, books, and support. I will always remember them both fondly with love and with great appreciation. Dr. Dobson lived what he preached, and Shirley has also. Praying for Shirley and the family. God bless them all always. I will always love them both and appreciate them both for all they gave and shared. In Jesus always, Nancy

Nancy

My heartfelt condolences to the family. Back in the mid-eighties, as a brand new Christian, Dr. Dobson was instrumental in helping me raise my 3 young children. And when there was infidelity in my marriage, it was the encouragement from Focus on the Family programming on infidelity that gave me hope to get through it. This Sunday (8-24-25) we will celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary. I am forever indebted to Dr. Dobson for his faithful ministry to me and thousands of other families over the years. I look forward to meeting him in heaven.

Christine

In 1980, when our older son was in his second year, we read Dare to Discipline. An important parenting lesson we held onto from this book was “Shaping the Will Without Breaking the Spirit.” We even wrote it down and hung it up in our kitchen! That little boy is now 47 years old, and his will was shaped with love and consistency and a life of following God. Thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Dobson for the years of leading parents (us) in a godly direction. God bless you, Shirley. Your example of a loving and faithful wife has been a blessing to many.

Barbara

My parents raised me on the Bible and Dr. Dobson’s teachings. I thank God for this godly and wise man who followed God’s truth without wavering. I pray for comfort and strength for his wife and family. I know with certainty they will see their loved one again. Thank you for allowing Dr. Dobson to do the work the Lord wanted him to do. I know at times it wasn’t easy at all. It never is with someone who is blessing the world with their presence. God has told our beloved Dr. Dobson those beautiful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Noelle

Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for pouring into my life the many beautiful messages and topics you covered. I have listened to you and your programs here in South Africa since I was a teen, and I continue to listen to Focus on the Family, as the impact of the stories and programs are huge. I will miss the wisdom, great guidance, and honest authentic ways you and your guests shared. Listening to you was like having a grandfather share the wealth of experience and knowledge with his children – right at my bedside. Your absence will be felt, but now you glorify your Maker, and you are seeing Him face to face. What a glorious thought! Amen and amen.

Bronwen

Dr. Dobson is wearing his robe and crown in his mansion. What a beautiful life! May God bless the family with knowing that their father, husband, and friend did everything God created him to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Lauren

It was with great sadness that I woke yesterday to the news of Dr. Dobson‘s passing. I honestly can’t remember a day when I didn’t hear his voice, either through Focus on the Family or later on Family Talk. As a young wife and mother, he gave me the confidence, courage, and guidance I needed to raise my children. Later in life, when I faced the trauma of an unexpected divorce, I clung to his wisdom daily as I raised my three girls alone. As I look back on these years, I am forever grateful for his consistency, his wisdom, his honesty, and the trust that he built with his listeners through the life he lived out daily and the way he challenged us to keep living for Christ. His legacy will live on in each of us – our children and their children – as we follow his call to finish strong. Dr. Dobson, thank you for being an example of the dad I never had . . . of what it means to walk with character and integrity and to fight the good fight to which God called you. Thank you to your family for supporting you all these years. Praying for each of them as they grieve such a great loss and live out the legacy you have left them.

Deanna

I never met Dr. Dobson in person, yet he was and will continue to be the most influential person in my life. As a divorced single mom 31 years ago, I was struggling with how to raise my little girl. After reading Dare to Discipline, I felt I had an ally. As my daughter grew, we would go for long drives, listening to Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey. Through all my life, God used this precious man to encourage me through some pretty dark times. I am now happily married to a great man, and my daughter is a Christian and a very accomplished, unspoiled young lady. Thank you, Shirley, Ryan, and Danae, for sharing him with us. He will be so missed.

Christy

I thank God for Dr. Dobson. He was a “father in the Word” to me, as the Apostle Paul put it. I learned so much from him and know that I will see him in the next life.

Catherine

We raised our children on Dr. Dobson’s wise and godly counsel. They are now ages 41 (medical doctor – now, full-time mom homeschooling 5 children of her own; our son is a CEO for Chamber & Development in Nebraska with 2 sons; he’s a great dad). Both our children love and serve the Lord. We just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, hosted by our children. It was the best! Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for all the encouragement you gave us along the way! We will miss you. Our sympathy to your family, Shirley, Danae, and Ryan. To God be the glory!

Jill & Michael

Thank you, Dr. Dobson, and your family for your love for the Lord Jesus Christ. My husband and I both listened to your daily program from the early seventies until now, as well as read your many books. We learned so much and appreciated your ministry. You helped us in our marriage, our walk with the Lord, and our ministry. We loved listening to you and laughing with you. We pray for your family as they begin life on earth without you. We look forward to the soon-coming day when we will be united with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, living with our family in Heaven for all eternity.

Sharon