Dexter Scott King, younger son of Martin Luther King...

Dexter Scott King was the youngest son of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott KingHe was seven years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis in 1968 

Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has died after battling prostate cancer.

The King Center in Atlanta says the 62-year-old son of the civil rights leader died Monday at his California home after battling prostate cancer.

Dexter King was named for the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Alabama where his father once served as pastor, and he was just seven years old when his father was assassinated in 1968.

‘He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu,’ said his 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.’

Dexter Scott King, the younger son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has died after battling prostate cancer

Dexter Scott King and his wife Leah Weber King. The two got married in a private ceremony in July 2013

Dexter King was named for the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Alabama where his father once served as pastor

Dexter Scott King, pictured on mother Coretta’s lap as a two year old, was just seven when his father was assassinated in Memphis in 1968

Dexter King, known for his resemblance to his father, portrayed him in the 2002 television movie The Rosa Parks Story

Dexter Scott King (right) pictured with is sister Bernice King (center) and brother Martin Luther King III (left) at a 2013 screening of The Redemption Project With Van Jones in Atlanta

‘Words cannot express the heart break I feel from losing another sibling. I’m praying for strength to get through this very difficult time,’ said his sister Bernice King.

His brother, Martin Luther King III, said: ‘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.’

Dexter King grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Fredrick Douglas High School. He then followed in his father’s footsteps and attended Morehouse College.

In 2002, he portrayed his father in the television movie The Rosa Parks Story. He had a love for the arts and first moved to California to pursue acting, according to The King Center.

As an adult, Dexter King focused on shepherding his father’s legacy and protecting the King family’s intellectual property. Dexter King was serving as the King Center´s chairman at the time of his death.

Reverend Al Sharpton posted on X, formerly Twitter, ‘My condolences to all of Dexter’s family & friends. May he RIP, may his legacy live.’

Vernon Jones, a former Georgia State House Republican, said: ‘My deepest sympathy to the King Family. I’m sadden by the passing today of Dexter King, Dr MLK’s youngest son. He was a friend!’