Y&R Star Jess Walton Suffers A Great Personal Loss

Condolences are going out to actress and fan-favorite Jess Walton who has played Jill on The Young and the Restless since 1987. Both the actress and her son, Cole James, have shared on social media news of a heart-breaking loss.

Jess Walton’s Husband John James Has Passed Away

“Three months ago, my sweet husband of 40 years, John, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer,” Walton shared on her Instagram. “Since that time, with weekly visits from hospice, my daughter Allison, her new husband Wade, our son Cole and I have been caring for John at home.

“This has been far and away the most painful period of my life, and our children’s,” Jess Walton added. “At the same time, it has been richly rewarding. Because John James has spent his entire life helping others and most especially taking care of us, his family. For us to be able to devote ourselves to him in his home with all that entails, and give him love and care and comfort from the people he loves the most, was our honor.

“In the end, his greatest gift to us and all grievers, is the @griefrecoverymethod, the company he founded, and which his son Cole runs to this day. That gift will guide all of us through the daily heartbreak of living without him.”

Condolences from Jess Walton’s friends in the soap world are expressing heartfelt sympathies. “To my dear, dear friend Jess Walton,” wrote Tristan Rogers, who recurs as Colin Atkinson, one of Walton’s leading men, on Y&R. “My heartstrings ache for you. I never met John but he sounds like a lovely person his loss is huge. Know my thoughts and well wishes are with you during this time.”

A Son’s Huge Loss

“It’s with a heavy heart that I must tell you that my dad, John W James, Founder of The Grief Recovery Method, died early Tuesday morning in the comfort of his home,” wrote Cole James, John’s son, on Instagram. “My mom Jess, sister Allison, and I were with him. He was at peace after being diagnosed with cancer just three months ago.

“Grief is conflicting,” Cole adds. “On one hand, I am glad he is no longer in pain. On the other hand, I miss him terribly and can’t imagine life without him. He helped shape me into the man I am today and I want to pass that along to my children.

“Your outpouring of love and support these past months has been incredible. Hearing your stories of how The Grief Recovery Method has changed your lives has meant so much to John and to us. Thank you for letting his legacy live on through you.” Soap Hub sends deep condolences to Jess Walton and her family at this difficult time.