Dexter King obituary
Dexter King biography.
Dexter King, Son of Martin Luther King Jr., Dies at 62
Dexter Scott King, the younger son of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, passed away on Monday at the age of 62. The King Center in Atlanta announced that his death was a result of prostate cancer.
According to his wife, Leah Weber King, Dexter died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California. She expressed her admiration for his strength and courage in battling the disease until the very end.
A Life Shaped by Legacy
Dexter King was born on January 30, 1961, in Atlanta, and was named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father served as a pastor. Tragically, Dexter was only seven years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dexter attended Morehouse College in Atlanta. He not only dedicated his life to continuing his father’s work but also made a name for himself as an actor, portraying his father in the 2002 television movie “The Rosa Parks Story.”
At the time of his death, Dexter served as both the chairman of the King Center and the president of the King Estate. He played a vital role in preserving his parents’ legacy and furthering their vision of equality and justice for all.
A Heartbreaking Loss
The news of Dexter King’s passing has left those who knew him devastated. Reverend Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of the King Center and Dexter’s sister, expressed her heartbreak and prayed for strength during this difficult time.
Reverend Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, also shared his grief, describing Dexter as a true activist who turned his pain into activism. Sharpton emphasized Dexter’s dedication to advancing the dream his parents had for future generations.
A Lasting Legacy
Dexter King’s death marks another tragic loss for the King family, following the deaths of his parents and his sister Yolanda. He 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.
Although his passing is a profound loss, Dexter King’s contributions to the civil rights movement and his unwavering commitment to his parents’ legacy will forever be remembered. His strength, bravery, and activism serve as an inspiration for generations to come.
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– Dexter King, younger son of Martin Luther King Jr., dies at 62
– Dexter King, son of Martin Luther King Jr., passes away at 62.
