A former top Trump adviser who was also a psychologist and evangelical leader and whose advocacy for family values shaped American culture and politics for half a century, died Thursday morning at the age of 89.

Dr. James Dobson, born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, became one of the most recognizable voices in American evangelical Christianity. Known for his daily broadcasts and bestselling books, he reached millions of families with a message that faith, marriage, and child-rearing should remain at the heart of American life, The New York Times reported.

“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 JDFI, said in a statement. “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.”

Dobson began his career as a clinical psychologist but rose to prominence in the mid-1970s when he founded Focus on the Family (FOTF) in California. The ministry grew rapidly, establishing itself as a central hub for evangelical engagement with issues of family life and cultural change.