Kimberly Van Der Beek paid tribute to her late husband, actor James Van Der Beek, on Sunday, marking the first Father’s Day since his passing. In an emotional Instagram post, she reflected on his role as a devoted father and expressed how deeply he is missed.

“Missing you so much and thinking of how magnificent you were in every single way today,” Kimberly Van Der Beek wrote. She added that, even from beyond, he continues to parent, calling him “a marvel.” Accompanying her message were numerous photos capturing moments of James Van Der Beek with their six children—ranging from toddlers to teenagers—as they shared affectionate family time. The couple, married in 2010, had six children: Olivia, 15; Joshua, 14; Annabel, 12; Emilia, 10; Gwendolyn, 8; and Jeremiah, 4.

The actor, best known for his lead role as Dawson Leery on the WB teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” died on February 11 at age 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer. He had announced his diagnosis in November 2024, just over a year before his death. The series, which aired from 1998 to 2003, followed the lives of close friends growing up in a small Massachusetts town, though it was filmed in Delaware.

Fans and colleagues responded to Kimberly’s tribute with messages praising James Van Der Beek’s example of devoted fatherhood. Mary-Margaret Humes, who portrayed his mother on “Dawson’s Creek,” also extended her Father’s Day wishes to Van Der Beek and fellow cast member John Wesley Shipp, who played Dawson’s father. In her post, Humes urged people to express love openly to the fathers in their lives and reminisced about simpler times during the show’s run.

James Van Der Beek’s death at a relatively young age prompted widespread reflection on his impact as both an actor and a family man. His widow’s tribute underscores the profound role he played not only in entertainment but also within his own family.