Dexter Scott King death, Martin Luther King Jr. son.
Dexter Scott King, the son of civil rights icons Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has passed away at the age of 62 after battling prostate cancer. The King Center in Atlanta, where Dexter King served as chairman, announced that he died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California. His wife, Leah Weber King, expressed her sorrow in a statement.
Dexter King, named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father served as a pastor during the historic Montgomery bus boycott, was deeply affected by his father’s assassination when he was just 7 years old. Despite the pain, he channeled his grief into activism and dedicated his life to advancing his parents’ dream for their children and others.
In his memoir, “Growing Up King,” published in 2004, Dexter King reflected on the impact his father’s death had on his childhood and the rest of his life. He described the difficulty of maintaining formality, seriousness, and certitude in the face of life’s challenges. As an adult, Dexter King bore a striking resemblance to his famous father and even portrayed him in a 2002 TV movie about Rosa Parks.
Dexter King also played a significant role in protecting the King family’s intellectual property. In addition to serving as chairman of the King Center, he was the president of the King estate. However, there were disagreements among the King siblings on how to uphold their parents’ legacy. In 2014, Dexter King and his brother sought to sell their father’s Nobel Peace Prize and traveling Bible, which was used by President Barack Obama for his second inauguration. This sparked a bitter dispute that eventually required mediation from former President Jimmy Carter.
Decades earlier, Dexter King made headlines when he publicly expressed his belief that James Earl Ray, who pleaded guilty to the murder of his father, was innocent. Dexter King met Ray in prison in 1997, hoping to uncover evidence of a broader conspiracy. Unfortunately, Ray never received a trial and passed away the following year.
Dexter King is survived by his wife, Leah Weber King, his older brother Martin Luther King III, his younger sister Rev. Bernice A. King, and his teenage niece Yolanda Renee King. His mother, Coretta Scott King, passed away in 2006, followed by his sister Yolanda Denise King in 2007.
The King family is devastated by the loss of another sibling, and they request prayers from the public during this difficult time. A memorial service will be announced later, according to the King Center. The family also plans to hold a news conference in Atlanta.
Dexter Scott King’s dedication to carrying on his parents’ civil rights legacy and his contributions to protecting the King family’s intellectual property have left a lasting impact. His passing is a loss not only for his family but also for the wider community..
– Dexter Scott King death
– Son of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. dies at 62.
