The loss of Dexter Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s son and the chairman of the King Center in Atlanta, comes as a devastating shock to friends, family, and admirers of King’s work.
According to an announcement from The King Center, Dexter Scott King died today, January 22nd, at the age of 62, after a “valiant battle with prostate cancer.”
His wife, best friend, and strongest supporter, Leah Weber King said in a statement, “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… He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu.”
Who was Dexter Scott King?
FOX 5 Atlanta details the life of Dexter Scott King, ” Born in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1961, he was named after Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery Alabama, where his father served his first pastorate. He was the second-born son of Dr. & Mrs. King and was only seven years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. Like his father, he grew up in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where his grandfather served as pastor. He was a graduate of Frederick Douglas High School, where he played football and participated in many other school organizations. He then he followed his father’s footsteps to Morehouse College in Atlanta Georgia.”
King, as the son of one of the most well-known civil rights heroes in American history, took on the responsibility of legally protecting his father’s work. FOX 5 Atlanta says, “He devoted his life to the continued perpetuation of his father’s legacy and the protection of the intellectual property (IP) his father left behind. At the time of his death Dexter served as both Chairman of The King Center and President of the King Estate.”
The King family requests privacy currently, and will respond to media inquiries following a press conference planned for tomorrow, Tuesday Jan. 23, at 10 a.m.
A memorial service has not yet been announced.
We mourn the loss of a wonderful man and send our love to the King family at this time.