Kimberly Van Der Beek Remembers Late Husband on Father’s Day

Kimberly Van Der Beek shared a touching tribute to her late husband, James Van Der Beek, on Father’s Day, marking the first one since his passing. James, widely known for his role in “Dawson’s Creek,” passed away in February at the age of 48 after a fight with stage 3 colorectal cancer. On June 21, Kimberly took to Instagram to celebrate his memory with a slideshow of sweet photos featuring James alongside their six children over the years.

“I miss you so much and today I’m reminded of how amazing you were in every way. And somehow, from the other side? You’re continuing to parent. You’re phenomenal 🩵,” she wrote in her heartfelt caption.

The slideshow included individual pictures of James and their kids—daughters Olivia (15), Annabelle (12), Emilia (10), Gwendolyn (8), and sons Joshua (14) and Jeremiah (4). Kimberly also posted some group photos of the family, showcasing moments of joy, like one of them cuddled up in bed and another where they’re playfully posing in the sun.

Kimberly and James met during a vacation in Israel back in 2009 and tied the knot on August 1, 2010, in a small ceremony at the Kabbalah Center in Tel Aviv. In February, Kimberly shared that they had a simple but beautiful vow renewal ceremony just days before James’s passing, attended by close family and friends, with some joining over Zoom.

“We decided two days in advance, a friend gave us a new ring, we filled our bedroom with flowers and candles, and we renewed our vows from bed,” she revealed.

James was originally diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2024, though he first learned of it in August 2023 but kept it private initially.

Following his death, Kimberly announced it via a statement on James’s official Instagram, expressing how he faced his final moments with courage and grace. She emphasized the importance of his wishes and love for humanity. “For now, we seek peaceful privacy as we grieve a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend,” the statement read.

In a tribute for James’s 49th birthday on March 8, their daughter Emilia shared a heartfelt video message, offering advice on coping with loss. She encouraged everyone to talk about their feelings and mentioned how she communicates with her dad daily, saying, “Hi, Dad, I missed you, I love you so much, and I’ll never stop loving you.”

Emilia noted that her father, now “up in the clouds with God,” would want everyone to embrace their emotions. She reminded followers that it’s natural to experience a range of feelings, saying, “Be lonely and grieve. You can be angry, but don’t blame yourself.” She also emphasized the individuality of grief, and that everyone processes it differently.

“What my father told me is that even if this doesn’t work out the way he wants and we want, I still have to believe in miracles for him to be alive,” Emilia added, reflecting on hope. “Many people loved him, people prayed for him, and he was loved by many hearts and many people.”