James Van Der Beek friends share touching final days tributes after death

James Van Der Beek’s associates are sharing recollections they made with the actor in his last days after he died Wednesday at age 48 following a battle with colon most cancers.

In a single Instagram post Shortly after his demise was introduced, retired WWE star Stacy Keibler shared a photograph of herself taking a look at Van Der Beek as they sat exterior collectively watching the sundown. Within the picture, the actor seems to be in a wheelchair.

“Spending these final days with you has been a real present from God,” she wrote within the caption. “I’ve by no means been so current in my life. When you understand that point is sacred, you do not waste a single breath. You do not rush. You do not scroll. You do not fear about tomorrow. You sit. You hear. You maintain palms. You watch the sky change colour and also you let it change you too.”

She went on to say that Van Der Beek has taught her “extra about being current in latest days than any guide ever might,” and confirmed her “what it appears to be like prefer to belief God’s plan even when it breaks your coronary heart.”

Van Der Beek’s associates shared images of his final days with the actor. (Stacy Keibler Instagram/Alfonso Ribeiro Instagram)

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“The opposite day we watched the sundown collectively as you shared your knowledge, your hopes and the guarantees we made to one another,” she added. “We talked about how this world can really feel the wrong way up… and the way possibly proper now heaven wants your spirit to assist calm us down right here. And simply because the solar was slipping away, a taking pictures star crossed the sky… as if to remind us that none of that is random.”

Keibler went on to name the actor “a present” but in addition “an unimaginable husband” and “a rare father,” including that it was “a blessing to see” how “secure, sturdy [and] devoted” he was to his spouse and 6 kids.

“It was an honor to face with your loved ones in these sacred moments,” she added. “It is fairly unimaginable how somebody can combat so onerous for thus lengthy, journey the world and combat a lot, and one way or the other nonetheless look so good-looking whereas doing it 🙂 That smile has by no means left you. You’ve given this world so many presents. Your presence was a vibrant mild in my life, and in so many others.”

“And whereas your bodily physique could also be gone, I do know your spirit is doing nice issues. I can already really feel it. We could have misplaced a superb physique right here on earth… however heaven has gained one thing extraordinary. I’ll consider you each time I take a look at a sundown. Each time I see a rainbow stretching throughout the sky, I do know you might be there.”

Keibler shared the teachings Van Der Beek taught her. (Stacy Keibler/Instagram)

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She ended the prolonged tribute by saying that the lesson Van Der Beek left her is that “the current second is every thing” and “love the individuals in entrance of you.”

‘Say the phrases. Have a look at the sundown. Belief God even when you do not perceive,” she concluded. “Thanks for altering me. I’ll carry you with me. All the time 🤍”

Keibler wasn’t the one buddy of the actor who visited him in his last days.

Designer Erin Fetherston took to Instagram on Wednesday share a photo of her personal go to to Van Der Beek. Among the many carousel of images she posted was one in every of her palms holding the actor and smiling at him as he lay in mattress and smiled at her.

“Brother James, you have been beloved by the entire world, however to us you have been Uncle James,” she wrote. “Thanks to your friendship. For at all times exhibiting up. For being the one who went the additional mile. When our canine died in the midst of the night time, you have been the one who confirmed up with a shovel. When our infants have been born, you and @vanderkimberly have been the very first guests – you did not simply have fun our milestones, you have been a part of them.

The designer shared a photograph of her holding Van Der Beek’s hand whereas he lay in mattress. (Erin Fetherston/Instagram)

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She continued: “What an honor it was to take a seat at your desk and name you a finest buddy. The house you allow behind can by no means be stuffed, however we are going to do our greatest to bathe your stunning household with love and bear in mind to proceed dancing in your honor – as a result of you have got at all times identified the significance of pleasure. We love you. All the time. 🤍”

“The Contemporary Prince of Bel Air” star Alfonso Ribeiro commented underneath Van Der Beek’s spouse’s Instagram publish asserting the actor’s demise, saying he felt “fortunate that I received to be there to say goodbye.”

Him later shared a tribute of himself on his private account, with a photograph of him and Van Der Beek sitting subsequent to one another and smiling on the digital camera. Within the caption, Ribeiro confirmed that he visited Van Der Beek in his last days of life, writing: “Having the ability to say goodbye this weekend will at all times stick with me,” and calling the actor his brother.

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“I’m so heartbroken proper now over the passing of my buddy @vanderjames at present,” he wrote. “He was my true buddy, brother and life information. I used to be with him by way of this horrible journey to beat most cancers. His household and associates have been on a rollercoaster trip. The highs when it appeared like he had overwhelmed it, to the lows of coming again.”

Ribeiro stated he’s grateful that he was capable of say goodbye to Van Der Beek this weekend. (Alfonso Ribeiro/Instagram)

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He continued, “I realized a lot from James. He and @vanderkimberly modified my life. I’ll ceaselessly be in debt for every thing they gave me and my household. He’ll ceaselessly reside in my coronary heart. I’ll at all times be there for his or her kids. I’ll at all times preserve my function as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the necessary roles of my life. I really like you James and know I’ve a guardian angel watching over me.”

Van Der Beek died on Wednesday, February 11 on the age of 48 after a battle with stage 3 colorectal most cancers.

His breakthrough got here in 1997 when he landed the function of Dawson Leery in ‘Dawson’s Creek’. He starred on the present for six seasons, from 1998 to 2003, and in addition appeared in a number of tv exhibits and movies, together with ‘Varsity Blues’, ‘Texas Rangers’, ‘Scary Film’, ‘How I Met Your Mom’, ‘CSI’ and extra.

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He first introduced his analysis in November 2024 in an announcement to Individuals, telling the newspaper: “There’s cause for optimism and I really feel good.”

Van Der Beek withdrew from a “Dawson’s Creek” reunion in September 2025 because of his well being. (Cindy Ord/Getty Pictures for F Most cancers)

In September 2025, the actor pulled out of a extremely anticipated “Dawson’s Creek” reunion because of ongoing well being issues. Nevertheless, the actor made a shock digital look on the charity occasion.

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