James Van Der Beek's Family Left Heartbroken on First Father's Day After Actor's Tragic Death

This Father's Day landed differently for the Van Der Beek family.

It was the first one since James Van Der Beek died in February at age 48 after a battle with stage 3 colorectal (colon) cancer, and for his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six children, the day was less about celebration and more about finding a way to keep him close.

Kimberly, 44, marked the occasion with an Instagram post featuring a slideshow of James with their six children over the years, writing about missing him and reflecting on how, even now, he somehow continues to show up for their kids.

"Missing you so much and thinking of how magnificent you were in every single way today," Kimberly wrote in her caption. "And somehow, from the other side? You continue to parent. You're a marvel."

One of their daughters, 10-year-old Emilia, has spoken publicly about talking to her late father every day, encouraging others navigating grief to let themselves feel whatever comes without guilt.

The post included more than a dozen photos: the whole family together, James with all six kids together, and quieter one-on-one moments.

James went public with his diagnosis in a November 2024 exclusive interview with PEOPLE, explaining that he was stepping back to put his energy into treatment and time with his family.

The diagnosis had actually come more than a year earlier, in August 2023, after doctors flagged something during what was meant to be a standard colonoscopy.

Kimberly broke the news to fans of his passing herself, posting on Instagram earlier this year alongside a portrait of her husband.

In her caption, she described him passing peacefully that morning and meeting his final days with courage, faith and grace.

The Dawson's Creek alum met his now wife during a chance encounter on a 2009 trip to Israel. Within a year, they exchanged vows and began a partnership that would grow to include six kids over the next decade. Daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah rounded out a busy household.

Now, as a widow raising six children largely on her own, Kimberly has continued the tradition James started.

Using social media not just to mark milestones, but to keep his presence alive for their kids, telling them that their father is still parenting them, just from somewhere they can no longer see.