Before his death, James Van Der Beek made a quiet move that spoke louder than words. He secured something lasting for his wife and six children, and the timing gives it added weight.James Van Der Beek died February 11, 2026, at 48, following a two-year battle with colorectal cancer. He had been living with his wife and six children at their ranch outside Austin, Texas.In his final months, much of what was happening remained out of public view.According to Realtor.com, James purchased the Texas ranch where he and his family had been living just one month before his death. Property records indicate the couple closed on the 36-acre Spicewood estate on January 9 for $4.76 million.
He and Kimberly had first relocated to the property in 2020 after leaving Beverly Hills. At the time, they chose to lease the ranch while determining whether Texas would become their permanent home.Over the next several years, the property became central to their family life. It was also there that James began cancer treatment.The purchase was completed through an LLC managed by a California attorney, and the transaction appears to have taken place off-market, with no public listing before the sale was finalized.Spanning 5,149 square feet, the main home includes five bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with several cabins, a barn, a pool, and views of the Pedernales River.Additional amenities include a commercial kitchen, balconies overlooking the water, an outdoor living space, and a tram leading down to the river.