Dexter Scott King, the younger son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has peacefully departed after bravely facing prostate cancer.
The King Center in Atlanta, where Dexter King served as chairperson, announced the sad news of the civil rights leader's 62-year-old son's passing on Monday at his California residence. Dexter's wife, Leah Weber King, shared in a statement that he departed "peacefully in his sleep."
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Named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Alabama, where his father once served as a pastor, Dexter King was only seven years old when his father was tragically assassinated in 1968. He held the position of the third child among the Kings' four children.
In his adult years, Dexter King pursued a career as an attorney, dedicating himself to preserving his father's legacy and safeguarding the intellectual property of the King family. Beyond his role as chair of the King Center, he also held the position of president of the King estate.
In 2006, Coretta Scott King passed away, followed by the Kings' eldest child, Yolanda King, in 2007.
Expressing her grief, Bernice A King, Dexter King's youngest sibling, conveyed in a statement, "Words cannot express the heartbreak I feel from losing another sibling."
Martin Luther King III, Dexter King's elder brother, remarked, "The sudden shock is devastating. Finding the right words at a moment like this is challenging. We earnestly request your prayers for the entire King family during this difficult time.
Atlanta's mayor, Andre Dickens, expressed solidarity with the city and the global community, mourning the loss of Dexter Scott King. Dickens highlighted Dexter's profound and unwavering love for his family, positioning him as a guardian of his parents' legacies.
Dickens acknowledged Dexter King's various titles, including those of Morehouse College graduate, humanitarian, civil rights activist, and even actor. However, he emphasized that, above all, Dexter was a devoted family man. Dickens extended condolences to the diverse survivors of Dexter King.
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