(Oregon Right to Life) — Evangelical Christian leader Dr. James Dobson passed away last week, leaving behind a profound legacy of pro-life, pro-family influence on American culture and politics.
Dr. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council, died Thursday, August 21, after a brief illness. He was 89. Through his organizations and his nationally syndicated radio show Family Talk, Dobson was a prominent advocate for families and the sanctity of human life.
“Dr. Dobson’s impact endures through the many lives he touched, the families he strengthened, and the unshakable faith he proclaimed,” his family said in a statement.
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Condolences and words of appreciation have poured in from national conservative and pro-life leaders.
National Right to Life honored Dr. Dobson’s contributions to the pro-life movement in a Thursday statement, extending “deepest sympathies to Dr. Dobson’s family, friends, and the countless lives he touched through his decades of faithful service.”
“The contributions of Dr. James Dobson to the pro-life movement cannot be overstated,” National Right to Life (NRLC) president Carol Tobias said. “He was a steadfast defender of the right to life and a highly respected leader whose voice carried great influence.”
“With clarity and conviction, Dr. Dobson consistently affirmed the dignity of every human being and called upon the pro-life movement to remain unwavering in its commitment to protect the most vulnerable among us,” Tobias said. “His enduring legacy will continue to shape and strengthen the defense of life for generations.”
Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, also praised Dr. Dobson for his ministry’s impact in “protecting the dignity of every child.”
“Dr. James Dobson’s life and ministry remind us that one person’s faithfulness can ripple across the world, touching lives, shaping families, and protecting the dignity of every child,” Godsey said. “In his memory, the pregnancy help movement carries forward this mission—to love, to serve, and to defend life.”
Throughout his career, Dobson advanced family values in both the cultural and political space, serving as a presidential advisor to Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, and most recently serving on President Donald Trump’s advisory board for evangelical affairs.
In 2022, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturning Roe v. Wade Dr. Dobson highlighted President Trump’s role in the major pro-life victory.
“Whether you like Donald Trump or not, whether you supported or voted for him or not, if you are supportive of this Dobbs decision that struck down Roe v. Wade, you have to mention in the same breath the man who made it possible,” he said in a ministry broadcast, the Associated Press reported.
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In addition to founding Focus on the Family in 1977 and Family Research Council in 1981 – which provides many pro-life resources – Dobson helped establish the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a pro-life conservative legal advocacy group.
“The world has lost a mighty voice for truth and an incredibly influential servant of Christ today,” ADF CEO, President, and Chief Counsel Kristen Waggoner said in response to the news of Dobson’s passing. “Dobson’s bold leadership and commitment to the Gospel shaped the lives of so many and will continue to do so many years after his passing.”
Dobson’s ministry continues to have a national and international impact, with Focus on the Family Associate Offices in 12 countries, ministry partners in 60 countries, and media reach in over 100 countries. His syndicated radio show Family Talk is currently carried by more than 1,500 radio stations nationwide with over half a million weekly listeners.
