His representative tells PEOPLE that before the actor died at age 48<\/a> on Feb. 11 following a journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer, the Dawson’s Creek alum secured a down payment on the Austin ranch where he had been residing<\/a> with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek<\/a>, and their six children<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cJames secured down payment for the Texas ranch for the family with the help of friends through a trust so they could shift from rent to mortgage,\u201d the rep tells PEOPLE.<\/p>\n In 2020, James and Kimberly permanently left Beverly Hills<\/a>, Calif., and relocated to Austin with their kids<\/a>: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, and Gwendolyn, 7, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 4, the latter of whom was not yet born<\/a>.<\/p>\n James Van Der Beek\/Instagram<\/p>\n Speaking to PEOPLE in November 2022, the late actor said that living in Texas has been a \u201ccentering\u201d experience<\/a> for him and his family. And “for the kids,” he said, “it’s been grounding, and a different kind of education that we never could have offered them in a classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n Since moving, he explained at the time, the family was able to slow down and connect more with both nature<\/a> and each other. His kids \u201cjump around,” he said. “They sing, ‘rain, rain come today,’ and they run out in it, because we need it.”<\/p>\n “It’s just connected us, not just to nature, but to the natural life cycles all around us,\u201d added the father of six.<\/p>\n In the wake of James\u2019 death on Feb. 11, friends of the Van Der Beek family organized a GoFundMe page<\/a> to collect donations after James\u2019 medical care left the family \u201cout of funds.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n The fundraiser, which states it will “help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children\u2019s education,\u201d received over $2.2 million in the first 48 hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n “In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future,” the GoFundMe description reads. “The costs of James\u2019s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.”<\/p>\n Kimberly Van Der Beek\/Instagram<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15034c4e0a769fcee4ad35187fd4026c.jpeg\"\/)
James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly with their six kids <\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02da31b9219e11d3833015a8376714ad.jpeg\"\/)
James Van Der Beek with his six kids <\/p>\n