1. “Dexter King, son of Martin Luther King Jr., passes away at 62”
2. “Martin Luther King Jr.’s younger son, Dexter King, dies at age 62”.
Dexter Scott King, Son of Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr., Passes Away at 62
Dexter Scott King, the younger son of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has tragically passed away at the age of 62. The King Center in Atlanta announced that Dexter succumbed to prostate cancer on Monday. His wife, Leah Weber King, revealed that he passed away peacefully in his sleep at their home in Malibu, California.
A Life Lived with Bravery and Dedication
Leah Weber King expressed her sorrow and admiration for Dexter, stating, “He gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end. As with all the challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with bravery and might.” His passing has left a deep void in the hearts of his loved ones and the civil rights community.
Born on January 30, 1961, in Atlanta, Dexter King was named after Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father served his first pastorate. At the young age of seven, he tragically lost his father when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dexter attended Morehouse College in Atlanta. He not only pursued a successful career as an actor but also dedicated his life to upholding his parents’ legacy. At the time of his passing, Dexter served as both chairman of the King Center and president of the King Estate.
A Legacy of Activism and Leadership
Dexter King’s commitment to civil rights and social justice was commendable. His portrayal of his father in the 2002 television movie “The Rosa Parks Story” showcased his talent and his determination to carry forward his father’s dream.
Reverend Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, expressed his sorrow upon hearing the news. “Dexter was only seven when his hero, his role model, and, most importantly, his father was taken from us,” Sharpton said in a statement. “He turned that pain into activism, however, and dedicated his life to advancing the dream Martin and Coretta Scott King had for their children, their grandchildren, and all the generations to come after.”
A Family Remembered
Dexter King is survived by his wife of 11 years, Leah Weber King, his sister Bernice King, his brother Martin Luther King III, his niece Yolanda Renee King, and other family members. The loss of Dexter adds to the heartbreak the family has already endured, following the deaths of their father, mother in 2006, and sister Yolanda in 2007.
The impact of Dexter Scott King’s life and work will forever be remembered and celebrated. His dedication to the civil rights movement and his commitment to creating a more just world will continue to inspire generations to come.
Reuters
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1. Dexter King, younger son of Martin Luther King Jr., dies at 62
2. Dexter King, son of Martin Luther King Jr., passes away at 62.
