By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO
Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of civil rights leader and icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Coretta Scott King, died on Jan. 22 after a battle with prostate cancer.
Dexter King lived with his wife of 11 years, Leah King, in Malibu, Calif.
“He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home,” she said.
At the time of his death, Dexter King was serving as chairman of the King Center and president of the King estate.
An attorney, Dexter King focused on protecting the King family intellectual property and managing his father’s legacy.
It was Dexter King who most resembled his father, and was persuaded to play his dad in a small role in the 2002 CBS movie, “The Rosa Parks Story.”
Born in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1961, and named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Alabama where his father once served as pastor, Dexter King was the third child born to Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr. He was only seven years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn. on April 4, 1968.
His mother, Coretta Scott King, died on Jan. 30, 2006. Her death was followed by the passing of his oldest sister, Yolanda King, on May 15, 2007.
Dexter King is survived by his wife, Leah, older brother Martin Luther King III, and younger sister Bernice King.
Leaders around the country are sending prayers to the family, including Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07).
“My deepest condolences go out to Martin III, Bernice and the entire King family on the passing of Dexter Scott King, chair of The King Center and president of the King Estates. Our prayers are with you during this time of sorrow and loss. Dexter will be greatly missed by all of us.”
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