Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Youngest Son, Dexter Scott King, Dies

Dexter Scott King, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s youngest son and third child, died on Monday at age 62 due to complications from prostate cancer. A memorial service will be announced at a later time.
Born in Atlanta on January 30, 1961, he was named after Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery Alabama, where his father served his first pastorate. The 62-year-old was the second-born son of Dr. & Mrs. King and was only seven years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis, TN 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.
The son of the Civil Rights icons was the family member delegated to take on the mantel of continuing the precedent his father set by legally protecting his work. 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. Becoming well versed in intellectual property law, and its management and licensing was the result of his dedication to the delegated task and the memory of both his father and mother.
Known to be humble about his uncanny resemblance to his father, he portrayed him in the 2002 television movie The Rosa Parks Story. The actor had a love for the creative arts and initially relocated to California to pursue a career in acting. But family duty called and he answered, living out the rest of his life balancing both his love of the arts and his duties to the King family legacy.
At a private ceremony in July of 2013, he married his best friend and longtime partner, Leah Weber. Mrs. Leah Weber King is a New Orleans native, former broadcast journalist, entrepreneur, and consultant. Together they built a life of love, support and unconditional love, much like that of Dexter's mother and father.
He was preceded in death by his father (1968), his mother (2006) and sister Yolanda (2007). He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 11 years Leah Weber King, his sister Rev. Dr.Bernice A. King and his brother Martin Luther King, III.
Tags : Dexter Scott King Dexter Scott King death Dexter Scott King funeral Martin Luther King Jr
Hot Trends
-
The LeFevre Quartet Announces 20th Anniversary Concert Celebration
-
Rhett Walker to Perform on FOX & Friends
-
Faith-Based Movie "Pursuit of Freedom" Tells the Real Story of How an Ukrainian Woman Sought for Her Missing Children
-
The Jim Brady Trio Debuts Their New Album and Single (Listen to the New Single Here)
-
Leanna Crawford Releases "Still Waters (Psalm 23);" New Album Out July 19
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
-
Exclusive Interview with the Horn Family
-
Bethel Music's Kalley Heiligenthal Remembers Daughter Olive Three Years After Her Passing
-
Ben Fuller is Back with “Deeper Still”
-
Michael W. Smith's Son, Tyler Smith,Talks About Growing Up with His Famous Dad & His Own Music Career
-
Celebrating Valentine's Day: Story Behind Steve Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here"
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Big Daddy Weave's "Heaven Changes Everything"
-
FREE MUSIC: CeCe Winans "Believe for It"
-
TAYA Opens Up About Her Pregnancy & Her New Single
-
Zak Williams and 1 AKORD Enjoy a Banner Year
Most Popular
-
The LeFevre Quartet Announces 20th Anniversary Concert Celebration
-
Rhett Walker to Perform on FOX & Friends
-
Faith-Based Movie "Pursuit of Freedom" Tells the Real Story of How an Ukrainian Woman Sought for Her Missing Children
-
The Jim Brady Trio Debuts Their New Album and Single (Listen to the New Single Here)
-
Leanna Crawford Releases "Still Waters (Psalm 23);" New Album Out July 19
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
-
Exclusive Interview with the Horn Family
-
Bethel Music's Kalley Heiligenthal Remembers Daughter Olive Three Years After Her Passing
-
Ben Fuller is Back with “Deeper Still”
-
Michael W. Smith's Son, Tyler Smith,Talks About Growing Up with His Famous Dad & His Own Music Career
-
Celebrating Valentine's Day: Story Behind Steve Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here"
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Big Daddy Weave's "Heaven Changes Everything"
-
FREE MUSIC: CeCe Winans "Believe for It"
-
TAYA Opens Up About Her Pregnancy & Her New Single
-
Zak Williams and 1 AKORD Enjoy a Banner Year