Dexter Scott King was the younger son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968) and the chairman of the King Center for Nonviolent Change.
- Died: January 22, 2024 (Who else died on January 22?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Malibu, California, of prostate cancer at the age of 62.
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Dexter Scott King’s legacy
King was born at the height of his father’s work in the Civil Rights movement. He was named for the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father was pastor as he began to lead the fight for civil rights. Just seven years old when his father was assassinated in 1968, he learned about the tragedy via a breaking news bulletin while he was watching television. He went on to grow up in a world where his father’s legacy loomed large.
As a young adult, King struggled to find his place. He attended Morehouse College but didn’t finish his college education. He briefly served as president of the King Center in 1989 but stepped down after only four months. He also worked as a corrections officer and a music promoter before returning to the King Center in 1995 to take over after the retirement of his mother, Coretta Scott King (1927–2006). He remained chairman of the King Center until his death.
In 2003, King published his memoir, “Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir.” He portrayed his father in the 2002 TV movie “The Rosa Parks Story,” and he was the voice of his father in the 1999 animated film “Our Friend, Martin.”
Notable quote
“Ever since I was seven, I’ve felt I must be formal. Formality, seriousness, certitude — all these are difficult poses to maintain, even if you’re a person with perfect equilibrium, with all the drama life throws at you.” —from King’s memoir
Tributes to Dexter Scott King
Full obituary: The Washington Post
