He fought the good fight!
Born January 30, 1961, in Atlanta, Georgia, Dexter Scott King was named after the historic Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father first pastored, Fox 5 Atlanta reports. The third child and youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, he was only seven years old when his father was assassinated.
He grew up in Atlanta and attended the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where his grandfather served as pastor, going on to graduate from Frederick Douglass High School, where he played football. Like his father, he went on to attend Morehouse College and continue the legacy of civil rights in his family, devoting his life to their work and protecting the family’s intellectual property.
Dexter was known to have an uncanny resemblance to his father, portraying him in the 2002 television movie, “The Rosa Parks Story.” He initially pursued a career in acting and had a passion for the arts. But he held off his acting pursuits to pursue his duty to the King family legacy, specializing in intellectual property law and ensuring the management and licensing of the King Estate was well intact. He served as Chairman of The King Center and President of the King Estate, where he valiantly protected the legacy of his parents and family.
King passed away on January 22nd at the age of 62 after a battle with prostate cancer. His sister, Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, released a statement on behalf of the family.
“Words cannot express the heartbreak I feel from losing another sibling. I’m praying for strength to get through this very difficult time,” said Rev. King.
“The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this. We ask for your prayers at this time for the entire King family,” added his brother, Martin Luther King, III.
According to reports, King transitioned peacefully in his sleep, his loving wife of 11 years, Leah Weber King, saying he was brave until the end. King was preceded in death by his father (1968), mother (2006), and sister Yolanda (2007). He is survived by his wife, sister, brother, and niece, Yolanda Renee King.
We send our deepest condolences to the entire King family. May he journey well.
Cover photo: Dexter Scott King, Youngest Son of Martin Luther King & Coretta Scott King, Has Passed Away/Photo by Helen Comer/Pool/The Jackson Sun/AP/CNN