James Van Der Beek Father's Day tributes from widow, 'Dawson's Creek' mom – USA Today

Kimberly Van Der Beek is paying tribute to her late husband, James Van Der Beek, on the first Father’s Day after the beloved “Dawson’s Creek” actor’s death.
Van Der Beek, a father of six, died on Feb. 11 at age 48, following a prolonged battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. On Father’s Day, June 21, Kimberly posted a series of photos on her Instagram page.
“Missing you so much and thinking of how magnificent you were in every single way today,” Kimberly wrote in the photo caption. “And somehow, from the other side? You continue to parent. You’re a marvel.”
James Van Der Beek’s widow Says ‘words just don’t capture’ grief
Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023 and shared his illness with the public in November 2024. He continued working, in spite of his health battle, appearing on shows like the CW’s “Walker” (2024) and Amazon Prime Video’s comedy “Overcompensating” (2025).
The couple married in August 2010 and welcomed six children over the next decade, including their eldest daughter, Olivia, now 15, son Joshua, now 13, daughter Annabel, 11, daughter Emilia, 10, daughter Gwendolyn, 8, and son Jeremiah, 5, (born in 2021). Family life became a central focus for the couple throughout their marriage, with James frequently sharing his pride in fatherhood on Instagram.
Longtime family friend Dr. Cass Naumann wrote in the comments of the Father’s Day post.
“The only thing that brought him more joy than being a father was being your husband,” Naumann wrote. “He was/is such a role model to my son of what a loving, healthy father looks like.”
Last month, Kimberly Van Der Beek wrote about the raw pain of losing her husband.
“To say I’m heartbroken is a severe understatement. Words just don’t capture what grief is,” Kimberly wrote in a May 12 Instagram post with multiple family photos.
“The comforts of shock have worn off,” she wrote. “The reality is settling in… and I miss him. We all miss him.”
“Dawson’s Creek” star and TV mom Mary Margaret Humes paid tribute to former co-star Van Der Beek on the day before Father’s Day.
“Wishing all of the amazing dads throughout this vast universe a Happy Father’s Day weekend,” Humes, 72, captioned her Saturday Instagram post, a throwback “Dawson Creek” photo featuring Humes (Gail Leery), Van Der Beek (son Dawson Leery) and John Wesley Shipp (who played Mitch Leery, the show patriarch and Dawson’s father).
“A shout out to simpler times,” Humes wrote. “My advice? Give big, meaningful hugs and tell them you love them while you still have the chance.”

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