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

In 1977, I was a young Christian and had just become a mother of a baby girl. I had no clue what to do. I had come from an abusive home growing up and DID NOT WANT that for my daughter! Dr. Dobson had such an impact on my life. I listened to him on the radio daily and read his books – and that was hard for me because I’m not a reader. Knowing of Dr. Dobson has made such a difference in my life and how we raised our child. Our daughter, Ginger, is a PA in Neurology and has a son. I’m 72 years old now, but I share my experiences with the “younger” generations with children and encourage them to get Dr. Dobson’s books. I’ve even bought some and given them to families I thought would find them helpful. It saddened me when I heard of his passing, but I do rejoice that he is certainly in a better place with our Lord and Savior. Dr. Dobson had a profound impact on my life, and I will be forever grateful for that.

Vicki

Oh, what a giant of a man was Dr. James Dobson! He was invaluable in helping me raise my children. I’ve said for years that if I could meet anyone in this world, it would be Dr. Dobson. I named my firstborn, and only daughter, after his Danae. When I learned of his passing, I cried like he was my own family member. His sharing of wisdom, knowledge, and heart for the Lord was so encouraging, and He helped me greatly. I learned so much as I listened to him for many years. Oh, how I enjoyed “Adventures in Odyssey” and “Psalty.” I learned so much about how to live in this world, as I did not have a good example or guidance growing up. I pray that his impact will bring his family comfort through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I was so fortunate to know (of) Dr. Dobson, my dear brother in Christ. I so look forward to meeting my hero in Heaven. May God comfort sweet Shirley, Danae, Ryan, and all of the extended family. Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for such a life well lived.

Debi

Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for your many years of service to the human community. You will be missed. I have read your books on child-rearing for at least 35 years. My kids are no longer children, but I still enjoy listening to Focus on the Family on Sirius. The topics are always relevant as to what we are currently facing. It seems that we are losing all of our pillars this year. It’s our turn to carry the torch. I pray for your family, and I hope they can find comfort in knowing that you are starting your eternal chapter.

Val

Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for your walk with Jesus. You were instrumental in the strengthening of my faith as a young man. I looked forward to your radio broadcasts and made a point to “be there” to hear your tender but poignant words of wisdom. I wrote you about your dad (as I am also an artist), and you sent me a handwritten response/letter that I cherish today. I strive to serve and live for our Lord and Savior much because of your influence. Love in Christ

David

I have listened to Dr. Dobson for over 30 years. What a joy that experience has been! I am forever indebted to Dr. Dobson for his instruction through the radio program and his books on how to have a godly marriage and how to raise our children. Day by day, I applied his wisdom to our family life. I am grateful for being able to watch a truly godly man live his convictions. He has inspired me to live a life of godly convictions. Thank you, Dr. Dobson. I am praying for Shirley and the rest of the family.

Daisy

What a godly influence Dr. Dobson has had on me through years of hearing him on the radio, along with the books he has written. He was always encouraging, advising, and admonishing us to keep the family strong, usually informing us how the Bible says to do it! I don’t doubt that God has already told him, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Jim

I first started listening to Dr. Dobson in 1982 during our first year of marriage. That year I read his book, “Releasing Your Grown Child.” I know this is odd, especially given that it would be seven more years before trying to have our first child, and more than twenty-five years before formally releasing our first of two. Because I recorded and listened to virtually every broadcast, at least until our kids were adults, I suspect few if any men on the planet listened to Dr. Dobson more than I. This daily “contact” made him feel like a father to me. And the positive impact on my family is hard to overestimate. I am confident I was not a “bad” dad, but others will have to judge where I fall on the scale between “above average” and “great.” But I am extremely confident that a daily dose of wisdom from Dr. Dobson helped make me a MUCH better dad than I otherwise would have been. I am eternally grateful for his consistent dedication to helping make families stronger and the country a better place. I look forward to personally thanking him when my time on earth is done. Many blessings to his wife, Shirley, children Ryan and Danae, and grandchildren.

Scott

I worked at Focus on the Family in Pomona for 3 years. I was one of the last employees to leave the building in Pomona when Focus left for Colorado. I never forgot my experience there and the sense of family with all 700 employees. It was a great time for me. Dr. Dobson was a kind, courteous, and humble man. I admired him and his faith that he wore on his sleeve every day. He will be greatly missed.

Olga

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

Jonathan

Dr. Dobson was always a joy and blessing to listen to and follow. His radio programs were special. I remember, a while back, one of the guests he had lost his voice and was divinely healed by the Lord in a direct answer to prayer. It was a wonderful testimony that Bible teacher gave. Oh, how wonderful the matchless grace of God is to His faithful servants! I am so thankful for Jim and Shirley Dobson. They’ve been such good role models. You could always tell that Jim Dobson really loved and cared for people all over the country and around the globe. Oh, to live for Jesus and be able to hear at the end of our lives’ journey, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of the Lord.”

Clayton

Thank you for your radio program. It became one of the resources that fed me spiritually and taught me things I didn’t know when I was a new believer more than 30 years ago. The wisdom you shared helped me grow in my faith, and I continue to appreciate Focus on the Family and now the Dr. Dobson minute. God’s Word rang true in my life: “Though my father and mother forsake, the Lord will receive me” (Ps. 27:10). The word “family” has a special meaning since I became a part of God’s family. And the many things I learned from you, your books, and your programs also helped me in my career as an educator. Sincerely in Christ.

Carmen

Dr. Dobson taught me how to be a mother! I read every book he wrote and put all of his advice into practice. Now, 48 years later, I have two wonderful children and three grandchildren. We are a united Christian family, and I still support Focus on the Family today! I went to a Renewing the Heart convention in Philadelphia many, many years ago. Dr. Dobson was a surprise guest, and we all jumped to our feet, clapping and rejoicing at seeing him in person. I’ll never forget you, Dr. Dobson!

Dawn

Dr. James Dobson was a remarkable person and a prolific writer who wrote many books regarding the family. I started reading his books and listening to Focus on the Family in the 1980s. All the radio broadcasts were very insightful, but if I were to choose the one broadcast that was most memorable, it would be the one with Corrie Ten Boom. There was a Christian basketball camp in San Diego in the summer of 1992. My son, Samuel, was 8 years old and liked playing basketball. I was a single parent and didn’t have the funds for my son to attend the camp. I contacted Focus on the Family and asked if they could possibly provide scholarship funds for my son to attend the camp. Focus on the Family provided the funds. The basketball camp was a week long, and, on the last day, upon picking up my son, he shared with me that there was an invitation to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. My son said that he accepted Jesus. That day is one I will always cherish and remember, and I will never forget the kindness and giving of Focus on the Family. Dr. Dobson was a devoted husband to Shirley Dobson, father to Danae and Ryan, and grandfather, and lived the faith of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I believe with Dr. Dobson’s last breath on earth, and then being in the presence of our Lord, the Lord said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you charge of many things.” Dr. James Dobson will always be remembered and missed.

Stephanie

Thank you for a life well lived as a soldier of the cross. Your faith and your passion to serve the Lord have been used and will be used as your spiritual legacy.

Charlene

What a tremendous gift God gave to the body of Christ and people of all walks of life! We are better for Dr. Dobson’s presence here on the earth and grateful for the simplicity and vastness of his influence on our lives. Thank you to his family for sharing such an impactful man of God with the world.

Shawn

I’m sure I am only one of the millions of people whose children were raised on the advice of Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family. I think I began listening to Dr. Dobson on the radio sometime in the seventies. I listened faithfully to the broadcast for many, many years and have also read and been guided by many of Dr. Dobson’s books, letters, and articles. I also received the Focus on the Family magazine for many, many years. As I said to my son when he asked if I knew that Dr. Dobson had passed on, “Much of my good parenting was due to the advice and counsel of Dr. Dobson.” I will be forever grateful. “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.” Mother of four grown children and grandmother of ten

Kathleen

The year Dr. Dobson started Focus on the Family is the year my husband and I were married. This show has been so uplifting and helpful throughout the years. My husband and I have nine wonderful godly children, and we just celebrated the birth of our 33rd grandchild. One area that his show impacted our lives was home education. I taught my children for 29 years at home. All but one are married and have families. God is so good! We will remember this man of God all our lives and the impact he had on our home. May God bless his family. What a legacy of honor he has left!

Edith

I feel so sad. Dr. Dobson was part of my younger life when I raised my two children with his book, “Dare to Discipline.” I used to listen to his shows with his loving and gentle spirit. I feel like his loss is a loss of part of my youth, if that makes any sense. I love you, Dr. Dobson, and thank you for all your advice, love, and your good example. Thank you. I will see you in heaven and maybe get a big hug.

Judy

Like many others, I have listened to Dr. Dobson and read many of his books for the better part of almost 30 years. His impact (and those he hosted on his broadcasts) on my personal faith walk & spiritual growth, parenting, marriage, and encouragement are too enormous to put into words. I remember just last year traveling home, and in middle of night on the road, going through a difficult time with my youngest adult daughter, I heard a meaningful broadcast that Dr. Dobson was hosting with other moms in a similar situation as mine. The encouragement he brought to my hurting heart was priceless and brought me great freedom that I still experience to this day. His example to stand up for the unborn & the family, as well as promote the gospel, is a legacy that will live on. To God be the glory!

Hope

I was a single parent for 20 years, and Dr. Dobson helped me raise my daughters through his ministry. Dr. Dobson believed in the church supporting single parents who have the difficult task of raising their kids alone. He started a single parenting magazine, for which I was privileged to write. I was an advisor for him on the topic of single parenting and child care, and I was a guest speaker for the FOF Institute. Even though he championed marriage and family, he never forgot the broken ones and the single parents and their children, the widows and orphans of today. I pray God’s blessings on Shirley Dobson and the kids as they walk through this time of grief. I pray your ministry will continue to help families and children just as successfully or even more so than before. I know Jesus gave you the biggest hug when you arrived in heaven. You truly were His voice here on earth.

Janean