James Dobson, the founder of Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family who exerted influence over the highest levels of American politics, has died. He was 89.
The Christian family psychologist-turned media mogul served as the founder and administrative leader of several evangelical Christian nonprofit and parachurch groups over the past 50 years. His passing was announced Aug. 21 by one of those organizations, the Colorado Springs-based Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.
"Dr. Dobson was a pioneer — a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family and culture," Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, said in a news release. "His bold leadership, integrity, and compassion helped equip countless families to thrive in a world of shifting values. He was a mentor, a counselor, and a steady voice of truth in turbulent times."
USA TODAY: James Dobson dies; leaves legacy as influential, at times controversial, Christian leader
After starting his career and founding Focus on the Family out of Southern California, Dobson moved the organization to Colorado Springs in 1991. It was the genesis event for an explosion of nationally influential evangelical groups setting up camp in Colorado Springs, giving the city the moniker "Evangelical Vatican."
Focus on the Family produced radio programs, television shows, books and other Sunday school curriculum. Dobson was personally affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, though his reach extended across different evangelical denominations and nondenominational conservative Protestantism.
Dobson's prominence as an author and radio host positioned him for higher political gains. He served in special advisory roles to several Republican presidents, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Donald Trump.
Dobson fully transitioned out of leadership at Focus on the Family by 2009 and devoted his time and energy to growing the nonprofit Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, which allowed his public ministry to continue through a radio program he hosted until as recently as Aug. 15.
USA TODAY network reporters N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Liam Adams contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Infuential founder of Colorado-based Focus on the Family has died
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