Just around a week after Martin Luther King Jr. Day and ahead of Black History Month, King’s youngest son, Dexter Scott King, passed away from prostate cancer at the age of 62.
Dexter is survived by his wife, Leah Weber King, younger sister, Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, and older brother, Martin Luther King III.
“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,” shared Martin Luther King III in a statement. “Words cannot express the heartbreak,” added Bernice King. “I’m praying for strength to get through this very difficult time.”
As the youngest son, Dexter carried on his father’s legacy by acting as the chairman of the King Center and president of the King Estate. His name originates from the very church Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor at in the 50s, known as Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.
“He was the family member delegated to take on the mantle of continuing the precedent his father set by legally protecting his work,” said the King Center in a statement. “He devoted his lift to the continued perpetuation of his father’s legacy and the protection of the intellectual property his father left behind.”
Dexter was born on January 30th, 1961. He was just seven years old when his father was assassinated.
At the moment, the King family has currently asked for privacy. However, The King Center’s Yolanda D. King Theatre is set to hold a press conference on Tuesday January 23, at 10 a.m.