R.I.P. Dexter King

Dexter King, son of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., has died age 62...

From Fox 5

The King Center has announced that Dexter Scott King, the youngest son and third child of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has died.

King died on Jan. 22 at the age of 62 after a "valiant battle with prostate cancer," according to the King Center.

"He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu", says his best friend of 21 years, his strongest supporter and wife of 11 years, Leah Weber King. "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", she said.

His sister Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center, stated "words cannot express the heart break I feel from losing another sibling. I’m praying for strength to get through this very difficult time". His brother Martin Luther King, III added ‘‘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".

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.

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, his brother Martin Luther King, III, and his neice, Yolanda Renee King.