Jess Walton shares the heartbreaking news of her husband's passing

John James, husband to The Young and the Restless' Jess Walton (Jill Abbott) for 40 years, has passed away. The Grief Institute founder had been diagnosed with liver cancer earlier this year.

The daytime community is sending love and prayers to The Young and the Restless star Jess Walton (Jill Abbott). The actress revealed on Thursday that her husband of 40 years and founder of The Grief Institute, John James, passed away. James had been diagnosed with liver cancer earlier this year.

"Three months ago, my sweet husband of 40 years, John, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. 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," Walton wrote in an Instagram post. "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."

Back in February, Walton shared the story of how she and her husband met -- and their first date was something very unexpected.

"My husband John and I met through mutual friends in Beverly Hills 40 years ago! Our first date was to the circus, and he brought along his five-year-old daughter, because if she and I didn't hit it off, it was over before it began," Walton shared. "But, luckily, she and I got along great! Forty years later, he and I have a son and a daughter together and many grandchildren!"

In June, James was able to fulfill his daughter's long-time dream of having her father walk her down the aisle.

"Ever since my daughter Allison was a little girl she dreamed of having her dad walk her down the aisle," Walton wrote in June. "This weekend she married a wonderful man and my husband John was able to give her away and make her dream come true."

Walton's Y&R costars were quick to message the actress to share love and support.

"John was a great man and one of the kindest humans I ever met. Your family has always been an inspiration to me," Jessica Collins (Avery Clark) shared. "Sending you all so much love."

"Such an incredible man! Such an incredible family! Sending so much love," Lauralee Bell (Christine Williams) posted.

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"Love and strength to you all, Jess. What a legacy John leaves," Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher) wrote.

Would you like to send a message of love or condolences to Jess Walton and her family? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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