The Patriot Post® · Goodbye, Jim

By Gary Bauer ·
https://patriotpost.us/articles/120216-goodbye-jim-2025-08-22

Today, I have sad news. My good friend Dr. James Dobson has passed away.
 
Family, faith, and freedom were the core of James Dobson’s life. His passion for the family drove Dr. Dobson to become one of America’s leading authorities on child psychology. His faith led him to start Focus on the Family and other pro-family ministries.
 
Jim and Shirley Dobson were deeply involved in the National Day of Prayer. For 25 years, Shirley led the organization that conducted observances for the National Day of Prayer.
 
While Dr. Dobson is most well-known for Focus on the Family, his leadership in the pro-family movement extended well beyond any one organization.
 
I got to know Dr. Dobson during my time in Ronald Reagan’s administration. I was regularly battling the Left, as well as the GOP establishment that was constantly trying to water down Reagan’s agenda. Jim frequently gave me exposure by inviting me on his national radio show.
 
When I left the Reagan White House, I became president of the Family Research Council to fight for Dr. Dobson’s values in Washington, D.C. Jim and I were frequently attacked by leftist politicians and radical activists for defending the sanctity of life, religious freedom, parental rights, and more.
 
Dr. Dobson and I co-authored a book called Children At Risk. I can’t tell you how many people have told me the book was prophetic. It was all about the battle for the hearts and minds of our children. That battle is still raging. You can’t go a day without seeing some disturbing story about it. (See below.)
 
Since you are receiving my daily report, you obviously know that I have my own platforms for advancing our values in Washington, D.C.—American Values and Campaign for Working Families. But I always continued to work closely with Jim.
 
In recent years, due to his health issues, I came along Jim’s side again as Senior Vice President of Public Policy at the James Dobson Family Institute, which I know will carry on his tremendous legacy.
 
I hope you will prayerfully consider supporting the James Dobson Family Institute. You can do so at drjamesdobson.org.
 
While Dr. Dobson’s voice will be deeply missed, I know he has gone to his heavenly reward and heard the words we all yearn to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”


Image credit: Focus on the Family, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Altered to add background and text.