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

We have been profoundly impacted by Dr. James Dobson and the ministry with which God has blessed us through him. I, Laura, was not raised in a nurturing environment. Our father was abusive, beating and sexually exploiting all six of us. He abandoned us when I was 10, and we subsequently moved from one home to another until I was 15. At that point, my mother left, and I became homeless. At 20, I found myself pregnant and contemplating abortion. However, my sister had begun attending Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, where she had heard Dr. Dobson speak. She implored me not to abort my baby, and, with the support of my sister and brother-in-law, I decided to keep my child. Two years later, I started attending church and became involved in ministry, particularly with Focus on the Family. We began receiving the Brio magazine for our daughter. When she was 14, she participated in a mission trip to Brazil with Susie Shellenberger. She went again at 16 and subsequently decided to pursue a career in medicine. Our daughter is now a doctor, married with three children, and they all thoroughly enjoy Clubhouse magazine and Adventures in Odyssey. We, along with our daughter, are avid listeners and fans of Family Talk, which has been a source of inspiration for us. Thank you, Dr. James Dobson, for helping my husband and me to parent our daughters.

Jim and Laura

Married for 28 years, raising 2 children, and having been a widow for 4 years, I have recently circled back to Dr. Dobson’s broadcast to listen to some timeless truths. Dr. Dobson has helped us (my family & me) navigate early marriage, raising toddlers, preteens, teens, and even young adults! His kit on “peer pressure” greatly helped us navigate the middle school years! When I learned of Dr. Dobson’s passing, I was saddened for a second, then started rejoicing as I imagined his crown of glory that he will receive from his Father. He lived such an impactful life, and I am so privileged to have been a part of his sphere of influence. May the Lord’s seeds planted through Dr. Dobson be multiplied through all of our lives, our children’s lives, and their children’s lives. “WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!” Until we meet in Glory 🙏🏾

As a single mom of an infant son and new Christian in 1993, I found Focus on the Family on a local radio station. Dr. Dobson provided me with so many tools and encouragement to raise my son as a Christian. I am honored to say my son has not stepped away from his love for Christ. I believe God used Dr. Dobson to teach me how to parent, find a good church, and be a witness for traditional family values. Coming from a non-traditional starting place, I never felt judgment but only encouraged through his programs. My favorite of his books was Dare to Discipline. I remember one trying incident with my son when he was around three. We were heading home from the grocery store, and he was throwing a temper tantrum because he wanted the bag of pretzels I bought for another time. I was frazzled, and I threateningly said, “If you don’t calm down, I’m going to throw them out the window.” Of course, my son didn’t calm down. Dr. Dobson’s words that I had to follow through rang in my head. I know it was just a bag of pretzels, but at that time I was making just above minimum wage and struggling. I heeded his advice, and the pretzels went out the window. The pretzel incident was the turning point, and my strong-willed boy became much more respectful. Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for your steadfast teaching, warmth when delivering truth, and commitment to Jesus and the family. I hope to thank you in person when I join you in heaven. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Dobson, Danae, and Ryan.

Tange

I was saddened to hear of Dr. Dobson’s passing recently. What a man of God he was to so many of us. I listened often to his broadcasts on Focus on the Family in the 1980s and ’90s. I was especially impacted by the book Love Must Be Tough, which I read while navigating a difficult marital separation. His compassionate character and comforting voice were so evident on each broadcast. He never shied away from topics that needed to be covered for his immense listening audience. I will miss him, yet I look forward to listening to archived broadcasts on Family Talk, as well as reading more of his books, as time allows. May God touch his immediate family.

Peter

I was saddened to hear my longtime hero of the faith had passed. I can’t say enough of his impact on my life and my family. Not being raised in a Christian home, I tuned in to Focus on the Family to learn what I needed to learn about raising children. My kids are now adults and doing well. Biblical principles work. I continue to pray for Dr. Dobson’s family, as I can only imagine their grief at this time.

Dee

I had the blessing of working at FOTF in the mid ’80s and early ’90s before the ministry moved to Colorado Springs. I was in my young 20s and was excited to be working in this fantastic ministry. I worked there almost 4 years. During that period, Dr. Dobson helped me through some arduous times. After I graduated with my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology so I could practice therapy, I had the opportunity to hand Dr. Dobson a letter at an event we were both at in Washington DC, and, within a few weeks, he took the time to write me back. He remembered my name, my husband’s name, and how he had helped us when I worked with the ministry. He was the first godly man who showed me God’s fatherly love when my own father had abandoned me as a child. He was a man who cared about the listeners to the show, and he honored those who worked with him. Most importantly, he loved those who hated him, and he longed to see them come to the saving knowledge of who Jesus Christ is. I rejoice that he’s now home with the Lord, and I grieve with Shirley and their family.

Stacy Lynn

I was saddened by the news of Dr. Dobson’s passing. He will be missed by so many, and he made such a positive impact on our society. As a young woman and a new Christian back in the 1980s, Dr. Dobson’s faithful broadcasts on Focus on the Family about relationship dynamics of all kinds (family, marriage) – all based on biblical principles – was what I needed as a fledgling Christian! I learned so much from his wisdom on those radio programs and in his books. Thanks, Dr. Dobson, for having a vision and heart for the family. Thank you to the family for all your support to the ministry as well. Praying for comfort to the family at this time. Dr. Dobson, I look forward to meeting you in heaven!

Cathy

Dr. James Dobson was one of my favorite speakers to listen to. His messages, based on the Bible, have been life-changing and encouraging. He will be missed, and I pray for the whole family in their loss.

Andy

Dr. Dobson was a great blessing to me from 1981 until his homegoing. I listened to his broadcasts on Focus on the Family and Family Talk for decades. His God-given wisdom, understanding, application of the Scriptures in everyday life, and love for all humanity were present in every broadcast and interview. I believe my love of family ministry for husbands and wives, parents and children, and sibling relationships, was birthed through his ministry. The Bible was lived in the Dobson home in everyday life. The real experiences he shared on his program modeled to millions how personal, genuine, and real Jesus is, and that the Bible is the handbook for every relationship in life. Thank you for thousands of hours of love and care from Dr. Dobson’s heart, his family, ministry colleagues, show guests, and every blessing for the last 44 years.

Cynthia

As a young wife and mom, I tuned my Christian radio station to Dr. Dobson’s broadcast each morning. My children knew Dr. Dobson’s voice as if he were a part of the family! I listened to his practical advice and biblical wisdom, and I read–no, I studied–his writings. If I could just implement these good teachings, my kids would turn out okay, I naively thought. But then, one day in 1996, something happened that prompted a shift in my thinking. A gunman entered the Focus on the Family headquarters and took staff members hostage. This didn’t happen on just any day; it happened on the National Day of Prayer. If anything could have distracted the Dobsons from praying, I suspected that such a crisis would have been it. This event confirmed in my mind a message that Dr. and Mrs. Dobson had been faithfully proclaiming: God’s people need to be people of prayer. We need to pray for our families and pray for our nation. How the enemy must fear the prayers of believers! I made a commitment that day to fast and pray regularly for my family. Raising a family turned out to be a lot messier than I had thought all those years ago, but God has been so faithful, answering my prayers in ways I never could have imagined. Through it all, Dr. Dobson’s wise teaching and loving encouragement have guided me from young married life to grandparenting. What a blessing his ministry has been!

Tammy

Dr. Dobson has been a part of my life for the past 41 years! He has helped me be a better follower of Christ, wife, mother, daughter, and friend by pointing me to the Scriptures and providing spiritual and practical resources. He helped us in raising our children through Dare to Discipline, The Strong-Willed Child, Love Must Be Tough, Preparing for Adolescence, Life on the Edge, Bringing Up Boys, Bringing Up Girls, etc. I also taught his Dare to Discipline video series to multiple groups of moms. I want to thank you, God, for using this man to impact our lives for the better!

Sandra

I listened to Focus on the Family in my early married life and continued for years. Every day, I listened to the show wanting to learn how to be a godly wife and mom. Dr. Dobson touched my life and helped me through many ups and downs by directing me to God’s Word. Prayers are with his family. Thank you for sharing your husband and dad with the world. Sincerely, Laurie Simmons

Laura

On May 20, 1990, 35 years ago at age 33, I gave my life to Christ. Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family planted seeds of faith – including faith in myself as a new parent that led me to this decision. I grew up without a father, and one Father’s Day I bought a card to send Dr. Dobson. I never sent it, being that I didn’t think he’d get it. I still have that card. I hope to tell him when I meet him in heaven. Part of Dr. Dobson’s legacy are the many other daughters that found a father’s place in their hearts for him. He will be greatly missed. God bless his well-lived life!

Dee

It was my joy to know the writings of Dr. Dobson in my 35 years in Christian bookselling and publishing and to often meet him at CBA. Heaven is rejoicing. Prayers for the family

Judith Elizabeth

I am about to turn 54 years old. I have been listening to Dr. Dobson since I was a child. I cannot imagine a world without him in it, as he has always been there as long as I can remember. I have used his radio program in my personal life as well as in small groups over the years. I have laughed with him, cried with him, and learned from him as we raised our four children. I am convinced our four children, who are now married, all serve the Lord because of the influence Dr. Dobson had in my life. I love the tag line, “The voice you can still trust for the family you love.” My heart goes out to Mr. Dobson as she is left without her love for now. I also ache for Ryan and Danae, as I know the pain of losing a dad. May God bless you all, and keep sharing his words with us! I count on it Monday-Friday as I drive my big rig down the highway!

Rick

Thank God for you, Dr. Dobson. You have been a blessing to my life as a parent and a wife.

Stacey

I really cherish all the teaching I got from Dr. Dobson. I like the CDs I get, learn from them, and then I pass them on. I am glad that the Family Talk and Focus on the Family ministries will carry on.

ronald

In 1988, we started our family. We moved from Susanville, CA to Sanatoga, PA in late 1988. In our search for a new church home, we visited a church on a day they were viewing a Focus on the Family film. We figured, ‘well, if they were showing an FOTF film, they must have our family values.’ We joined that church, and it was everything we had hoped for. We returned to California in 1989. In Fresno, we added two more children to our family, and when the kids were 6, 4, and 2, we discovered Adventures in Odyssey. For years it was an all-family program that we listened to until the kids were in high school. We also made every attempt to listen to the FOTF daily broadcast, with the peaceful blessings and wisdom both Odyssey and FOTF brought. I thank the Lord for the incredibly gifted brainchild of the Odyssey series, Dr. Dobson and staff. Dr. Dobson was an integral part of the fabric of our daily lives. I want to give Mrs. Dobson and their 2 “kids” my most humble and grieving condolences. There will always be an empty spot in my heart for the blessings he brought into our lives. Eric Hagstrom

ERIC

Thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Dobson, for a lifetime of faithfulness and service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I grew up with Dr. Dobson’s teachings. My brave mom broke the cycle after she became a Christian. She shared with us kids the changes in her life, and at 10 years old, sitting next to an old wall heater, I believed in Jesus, too. As a newly married young woman, I remember reading several of his books, such as What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women. I read The Strong-Willed Child, thinking to myself after reading it, I do not want one of those. I had my first child and had to reread the book. I have listened to many great radio interviews up to this day. I received products with a “suggested donation” when I had very little to donate, if at all, at times. Thank you! I read Love Must Be Tough and When God Doesn’t Make Sense at a pivotal time in my life. I’m thankful for the fatherly, biblical guidance I needed when my world fell apart. All seven of my children loved Adventures in Odyssey, and we enjoyed visiting the CO Springs campus to eat at Whit’s End, walk through the Narnia door, and enjoy the big slide. Considering that three of my children, born in China and having special needs, joined our family at 9 yrs, 11 yrs, and almost 14 yrs, having AIO in common for all seven is quite amazing, and I am thankful! We also enjoyed Danae’s Woof stories. I’m thankful for a lifetime of discipleship and service from Dr. and Mrs. Dobson – and family!

Kari

Thank you for this ministry.

Mark