James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and a key voice in the evangelical movement for over five decades, has died at the age of 89.

James Dobson Biography
Real Name | James Clayton Dobson Jr. |
Nickname | James Dobson |
Profession | Author, psychologist and founder of the Focus on the Family organization |
Date of Birth | 21 April 1936 |
Age | 89 years old (at the time of death in 2025) |
Birth Place | Shreveport, Louisiana, USA |
Nationality | American |
Hometown | Shreveport, Louisiana, USA |
Gender | Male |
Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christian |
Who Was James Dobson?
James Dobson was an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist, and founder of Focus on the Family, which he led from 1977 to 2010.
Education Qualification
School | Not known |
College | Pasadena College (Now Point Loma Nazarene University) University of Southern California |
Education Qualification | Graduated in 1958 Doctorate in psychology in 1967 |
James Dobson Age
James Dobson was born on 21 April 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States. He was 89 years old at the time of his death in August 2025, and his zodiac sign was Taurus.

James Dobson Wife
Marital Status | Married |
Affairs/Girlfriend | Shirley |
Spouse/Wife | Shirley Deere (m. 1960) |
Children | Two children |
James Dobson Family
Father’s Name | James C. Dobson Sr. |
Mother’s Name | Myrtle Georgia |
Brother’s Name | Not known |
Sister’s Name | Not known |
Career
Debut | He started his career as associate clinical professor in 1967 |
Awards | 1982 – Layman of the Year Award 1987 – The Children’s Friend Honor 1988 – Humanitarian Award |
James Dobson Books
- 1970 – Date to Discipline
- 1975 – What Wives Wish Their Husband Knew About Women
- 1980 – Preparing to Adolescence
- 1984 – Emotions: Can You Trust Them
- 1986 – Temper Your Child’s Tantrums
- 1995 – Straight Talk: What Men Should Know, What Women Need to Understand
- 1997 – Solid Answers
- 2000 – Life on the Edge
- 2001 – When God Doesn’t Make Sense
- 2003 – Parent’s Answer Book
- 2007 – Love Must Be Tough: New Hope for Families n Crisis.
- 2007 – Stories of Heart and Home
- 2010 – Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women, and others.
James Dobson Height And Weight
Height (approx) | In centimeters – 185 cm In meters – 1.85 m In feet & inches – 6’1” |
Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 77 kb In pounds – 170 lbs |
Eye Colour | Brown |
Hair Colour | White |
James Dobson Death, Cause of Death
Date of Death | 21 August 2025 |
Place of Death | Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA |
Cause of Death | Not known (likely natural and peacefully) |
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James Dobson Net Worth
Net Worth (approx) | $10 Million (at the time of death in 2025) |
Annual Income (approx) | Not known |
Salary (approx) | Not known |
Income Source | Investment, books sales, TV appearances, etc. |

Some Lesser Facts About James Dobson
- James Dobson was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA, to James C. Dobson Sr. and Myrtle Georgia.
- From his earliest childhood, religion played a central part in his life.
- His grandfather and great-grandfather were ministers in the Church of the Nazarene.
- As a teenager, he was rebellious, though he eventually found a close relationship with his father.
- James attended Pasadena College (currently known as Point Loma Nazarene University) and graduated in 1958.
- He received his doctorate in psychology from the University of Southern California in 1967.
- In 1958, he served in the National Guard for six months and began working at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
- At the University of Southern California School of Medicine, he was an Associate Clinical Professor for 14 years, since 1967.
- James Dobson founded Focus on the Family, a conservative nonprofit organization, in 1977.
- James is married to Shirley Deere, whom he met at college, and the couple has two children.
- In 2010, Dobson founded the Dr. James Family Institute, a non-profit organization.
- James Dobson died at his home in Colorado Springs on 21 August 2025, at the age of 89.
- James Dobson was vocal about his faith and his conservative politics, like Billy Graham and Pat Robertson.
FAQ:
How old was James Dobson?
89 years old (As of 2025)
Who is James Dobson’s wife?
Since 1960, James Dobson was married to Shirley Deere.
What is James Dobson’s net worth?
As of 2025, James Dobson’s estimated net worth is $10 million.
What happened to Dr. James Dobson?
James Dobson died on 21 August 2025, at the age of 89.
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