– Dexter Scott King death
– MLK Jr. son Dexter Scott King.
Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., passed away at the age of 62, according to an announcement from the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
King peacefully left this world at his home in Malibu, California, after a long battle with prostate cancer, as reported by Fox News.
Rev. Kyev Tatum of Fort Worth shared his condolences with the King family after learning of Dexter Scott King’s passing. Tatum expressed his sympathy, saying, “We are in prayer, as the world is. The King family has suffered a tremendous amount of loss, and we pray every time they lose a family member. [King] epitomized the essence of what Dr. King meant. He was beloved by everyone. What I hope is that his passing encourages all men, regardless of their color or state, to go and get their prostate checked. We can save a lot more lives.”
Leah Weber King, King’s wife of 11 years, spoke of his brave battle against the terrible disease, 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,” as reported by Fox News.
King dedicated his life to protecting the legacy of his famous father and defending his father’s intellectual work. He served as the chairman of the board for the King Center until his passing. He leaves behind his wife, his sister Rev. Bernice A. King, and his brother Martin Luther King III.
In a statement, Bernice A. King expressed her heartbreak at losing another sibling, stating, “Words cannot express the heartbreak I feel from losing another sibling.” She was the youngest of the four King children. Their mother, Coretta Scott King, passed away in 2006, followed by the eldest sibling, Yolanda King, a year later.
Dexter Scott King was born in 1961 and was only 7 years old when his father was tragically assassinated while standing on the balcony of his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. King described that moment as “the end of a carefree childhood” in his 2004 memoir, Growing Up King.
Initially, King had aspirations of becoming an actor, but he ultimately chose to pursue law and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, his father’s alma mater.
With a striking resemblance to his father, King portrayed him in a 2002 film about civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
The Atlanta City Council expressed their condolences in a statement, acknowledging Dexter Scott King’s lasting impact on the King family’s legacy and the broader struggle for equality and justice. They extended their sincere sympathies to his wife, Leah Weber King, Martin Luther King III, Dr. Bernice King, the King Center, and all who cherished him, as reported by WSB-TV.
As we reflect on the life and contributions of Dexter Scott King, we honor his dedication to preserving his father’s legacy and continuing the fight for equality and justice. May he rest in peace.
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1. Dexter Scott King MLK Jr. Son Dies at 62
2. Dexter Scott King, Son of MLK Jr., Passes Away at Age 62.