Dexter King, the Youngest Son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott-King, Has Died.

Just one week after the country celebrated the day of his father's birth, Dexter King, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott-King, has died.

The official announcement came just a little bit ago from King's saying “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.”

It has been reported that King fought a courageous battle against prostate cancer.

In its statement, The King Center noted that he "was the family member delegated to take on the mantle 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."

"I am deeply saddened to share that my brother, Dexter Scott King, has passed away. The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this. Please keep the entire King family in your prayers, and in particular Dexter's wife, Leah Weber," Dexter's brother, Martin Luther King III, added in a statement.

Dexter King, who was only seven-years-old when his father was assassinated, was only 62.