Martin Luther King Jr’s son Dexter Scott King passed away at the age of 62 after a long health battle.
The son of the civil rights leader reportedly died peacefully at his home in California after a battle with prostate cancer.
Dexter Scott, the child of Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King Jr., was named after Alabama’s Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where his dad once worked as a pastor. At the time of Martin Luther’s assassination in 1968, Dexter was just seven years old.
The sad news of King’s passing was shared by his wife of 11 years Leah Weber King who paid a tear-jerking tribute to her partner.
She said: “He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu. 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.”
Dexter Scott’s sister, Bernice King, added: “Words cannot express the heart break I feel from losing another sibling. I’m praying for strength to get through this very difficult time.”
The attorney and civil rights activist’s older brother, Martin Luther King III, penned: “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.”
After his father’s death, Dexter followed in the civil rights hero’s footsteps and attended Morehouse College after graduating from Fredrick Douglas High School.
After moving to California, he initially wanted to pursue a career in acting before shifting focus to continuing his father’s legacy through activism. He also served as the King Center’s chairman until his passing.
Our thoughts remain with the King family during this challenging time.
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