Tributes

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

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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

I was privileged to attend “The Institute” in the summer of 2000. This was a pivotal moment in my life as a college student. I’m so thankful for Dr. Dobson‘s vision to create that program. My worldview was solidified during that summer and many of the things that I learned I have taken with me into my marriage and family. That summer was a true gift. I will forever cherish the memories I made there, one being sitting in Dr. Dobson‘s famous office chair where he posed with me for a picture. He was as genuine and kind in real life as he is on the radio. Well done you good and faithful servant!

Melissa

When I was a young mother, navigating the joyful yet often overwhelming journey of raising children, I found a steady and encouraging voice on the radio—Dr. James Dobson. Every day, his words poured into my heart like a lifeline. Through his wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith, he reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Dr. Dobson wasn’t just a broadcaster or an author to me. He became a mentor from afar, someone who deeply understood the sacred calling of motherhood. He encouraged me not just to raise good kids, but to raise godly ones. To hold fast to my faith, even when culture pushed against it. To trust that God was shaping both me and my children, even in the chaos. Dr. Dobson’s voice was a daily reminder of God’s grace, and his legacy will live on in countless families—mine included—who were strengthened by his message. I thank God for the gift of his ministry, and I pray that the seeds he planted in hearts like mine will continue to bear fruit for generations to come. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Staci

To live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). I believe that Dr. Dobson fulfilled this statement. And, helped many others to strive for this. Dr. Dobson has been a firm and faithful presence for godly families in our society for my entire life. His books and radio programs helped, along with the instructions I received from my parents, to understand my role as first, a believer in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, then as a godly wife and mother to our daughter and son. And now, to be a godly “Nana” to our grandchildren.

Cindy

Truly brilliant and kind. Rarely can anyone point to a single message or broadcast that made a difference, but I’ll never forget the time that he shared the discussions with his children about “Eternity”. “Be there” was what he told them. Well, he’s “there”and I am certain Dr. Dobson is now in the company of the untold millions that he helped, through the years.

JONATHON

I became a believer in 1982 as a freshman in high school. I don’t believe there was a single individual who impacted my early years as a Christian more than Dr. Dobson. His ministry, whether on the radio, in newsletters, books or series like Life on the Edge has helped me so much as a husband, a father, a grandfather and as a follower of Jesus. I look forward to meeting him in heaven one day!

Ralph

I started listening to to his radio show from the beginning. My husband and I went to the parenting video series at least 3 times. We read the books and raised our kids according to Dr. Dobson’s teachings. We learned about homeschooling when Dr. Dobson introduced Dr. Raymond Moore on his program. We were some of the earliest homeschoolers and our family benefitted from that greatly. We now have grandchildren and a great granddaughter. Thank you Dr. Dobson for obeying God’s call on your life! God has used you greatly in our family and so many others!

Ellen

Thanks for the opportunity to share. My husband and I were married in 1973. We were not Christians but received Jesus as our Savior later in the year. In 1975 we had our first baby, 1976 our second. Both boys. I was listening to a new Christian radio station in our area at that time. It was WHLO 640 and heard Dr. Dobson for the first time and was hooked. I was a faithful listener and ordered cassettes tapes for others to listen to. I was listening when he was part of the Committee on Pornography for Pres. Ronald Reagan. I was informed about what an abortion was and that the unborn baby is a human from conception and became active with our local pro-life movement. I listened and learned about how the educational system was changing and how to get involved with the local school district. I can’t remember the name of the speaker that the Dr. had on the radio at that time but he was from California and I invited him to come and speak to over 100 people about monitoring what our children were being taught. I read most all his books on raising children. By then I had 3 boys and 1 daughter. I read about raising boys. I told my peers that my children were raised by Dr. Dobson. I still tell people that. I have given my children books by Dr. Dobson to raise their children by. Dr. Dobson has had a profound impact on my family and the families that my children are raising. I praise God for him and his obedience to God. I am 73 years old now. He will be greatly missed. I am thankful that he is in the presence of Jesus now. “Well done my good and faithful servant” has to be the words he heard as he entered the place Jesus prepared for him. Condolences and prayers for the family and friends.

Charlene

I was greatly helped by Dr. Dobson’s books on parenting when raising my family. No doubt he is hearing, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” He impacted many with the truth of the Gospel. May God comfort Shirley and all his family as they grieve their loss.

Mary Ellen

I began listening to Dr. Dobson back in 1985 as a 23 year old. I was not married and had no children, but I spent my lunch breaks listening to the broadcast and soaked up each one. It was so instrumental in shaping my worldview. After I married and had children of my own, we listened to every Adventures in Odyssey we could get our hands on. Many, many car trips were spent happily listening to Mr. Whitaker, Connie, and Eugene. Again, they helped shape my kids worldview. The ministry of Dr. Dobson has been to glorify God thru strengthening the family and I am so thankful to have been a part of that ministry.

Diana

Dr. Dobson taught me how to raise our children as I listened to him on the radio each weekday and read his books on raising children. The example I had from my childhood was not healthy and I needed to know there was a different way to interact with, love, and train the children we were entrusted with. I will forever be grateful for the godly wisdom and practical training I received from Dr. Dobson. Generational disfunction was broken in our home and we are now reaping the benefits even in our grandchildren’s lives. Thank you, God, for such a one as Dr. Dobson!

Valerie

God rest Dr. Dobson’s soul. I have several of his books and studied his teachings many years ago. Sorry to hear of his passing but is safely resting in the arms of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God bless his family and friends.

Yvette

I am thankful for men like Dr. Dobson who held the line, walked the talk, and stayed the course. God give us more like him! The need has never been greater. He paid a price to stand on conviction, didn’t back down, and fought the fight with dignity and courage. I am eternally grateful for him. Prayers for his family and ministry! Thank you for sharing him with our nation….

Bryson

What a lovely life lived. I remember the time I heard my first broadcast of Focus on the Family back in the ’70s of Dr Dobson’s interview with Paul Powers. I was hooked. One story stands out among so many wonderful ones. It was the one where Ryan had an ear infection and they were at the doctor and Ryan was on the table and Dr. Dobson had to hold him down but Ryan could see his reflection in the mirror. And as the doctor that was digging in his ear Ryan was yelling “please help the boy!”I have actually used that as a prayer through the years when that’s about all I could muster in a prayer to God “please help the boy” 🙂 A friend and I wanted to go and meet him in Colorado years ago, we never made it. Wish we had. Never met him but feel like I lost a dear friend. I’m thankful I can still hear him in the radio. Prayers for his family 🙏❤️

Candis

I subscribed to Dr James Dobson’s email/site a few years into my wedding and we have been tremendously blessed by the inspirational teachings and admonitions which have been of invaluable influence in my marriage. We’d continue to remember and meditate on the wisdom legacy. May God strengthen and comfort the family and may Papa rest in the Lord.

Abiodun

I had listened to Dr Dobson for years. I was so excited to move to Colorado Springs in 2000. I couldn’t wait to go watch a live recording of his radio show. My daughter and I were in the audience and so happy to see this program in action. What a blessing he has been to Colorado and to the world. May God bless and comfort Dr. Dobson’s family and friends. Well done Good and Faithful Servant.

What a great man of faith and works. We are so blessed to have had his influence in the lives of so many people for so many blessed years. May God bless his family and friends, and those who will follow in his footsteps!

Ronald

It was Dr. Dobson’s voice, who I first heard over the radio, invite me (a lost sinner) into a saving faith in Jesus Christ. God used this man to speak truth in a way that I would finally listen and surrender. His life emulated a faithful follower of Jesus which is why he is still ministering to families today. It is up to us (believers in and followers of Jesus) to tell the next generation “that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (Psalm‬ ‭78‬:‭6‬-‭7)‬. ‭Grateful to God for how He used Dr. Dobson in my life and in the lives of so many.

Jennifer

I was a youth minister for 20 years and I am currently a preaching minister going on 36 years of ministry. Focus on the Family under the leadership of James Dobson impacted my ministries in countless ways. I am also a father of 4 and grandfather of now 10 grandkids (newest was born August 19) I have utilized so many resources over the years in my personal life that I can’t even count. What a blessing! Rejoicing that James is now with the Lord! We sorrow but wow he has received his reward. Praying for the family to have the peace of God that transcends understanding.

Nathan

I was blessed to be part of the formation of the Louisiana Family Forum, one of Dr. Dobson’s early Family Policy Councils. His wisdom in building an organization enabled us to establish a firm foundation that remains today. He set high standards that were not to be compromised. The extensive vetting process for guests of Focus and now Family Talk were daunting but ensured words of advice that came from guests could be trusted. I have always admired his commitment to excellence in his personal and professional life. My hope and prayer is that the life he lived, the choices he made, the courage with which he spoke Truth, and the grace he freely gave to his critics, will be emulated by those of us who follow in his footsteps of ministry. His bold words poured forth from a heart filled with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which he wanted the world to know and love.

Jill

Dr James Dobson. The hero teacher who loved and cared about the family. His wisdom and humor helped me so much to love and raise my 3 children. When they were small I saw his 6 week series on child raising that showed me the beauty of God’s family and my part in it. There are no words to express his impact on us all. My heart goes out to all especially his family that will miss him so much and will some day “Be There” with him. Love to all in the Lord Jesus Christ. He honored Him. Thank you.

Judy