Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, at the age of 48.
Tributes have poured in from fans and celebrities alike, as Van Der Beek was one of the defining faces of late-1990s television.
Among those honoring him is WWE Hall of Famer Stacy Keibler, who rose to prominence during the same era.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Keibler revealed she spent Van Der Beek’s final days with him and his family, describing the time as “a true gift from God.”
Keibler wrote, “Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God. I have never been so present in my life.”
“When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath. You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colors and you let it change you too.”
Keibler reflected on how those final moments reshaped her understanding of presence and faith.
“In these past days, you taught me more about being present than any book ever could,” she continued. “You showed me what it looks like to trust God’s plan, even when it breaks your heart. Especially when it breaks your heart.”
Keibler also praised Van Der Beek as a devoted husband and father, noting the way he “showed up” for his wife, Kimberly, and their children with strength and steadiness.
“You are a gift. An incredible husband. An extraordinary dad… It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments.”
Beek posted a moving video on Instagram three weeks ago about taking the winter to “rest and recover.”