Solomon Abraham Kebede

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of our father, friend and man of faith: Solomon Abraham Kebede. His passing was the tragic result of a car accident that occured while he was crossing a street with his beloved friend of more than 40 years, Girmay Keleta, (who transitioned alongside him) on Friday August 14, 2020.

Solomon was born to his father Kebede Abraham Zerai and his mother Hagush Gidey on December 18, 1958 in Mai-temenay, Asmara Eritrea. While attending Leul Mekonen high school, at the age of 16, he was moved by the national struggle for Eritrean independence and followed in his older brother's footsteps by joining the ELF on Feb 1st, 1974. He was forced to escape imminent death (execution) and moved to Khartoum, Sudan in 1976. Two years later, he briefly migrated to Saudi Arabia before finding his way to the city of Pasadena, CA in 1979 - immediately started his bachelor’s chemical engineering studies at CA State Los Angeles university. Throughout his life, Solomon was known as a compassionate member of several Eritrean communities where ever he lived, one who always kept his friends and family’s best interests at heart, a multi-talented individual who always welcomed the opportunity to help others in their time of need, and - in the last 15 years of his life - as a devoted christian and religious leader within the greater Orange County habesha communities.

Solomon’s last act of kindness and gratitude in this world was a message of hope he posted on Facebook on the fateful date of 8/14/20 at 6:18am, “Go, my people enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Take cover, for in a little while the fury will be over” Isaiah 26:20.

Solomon leaves behind his two sons, Henok and Yonas and his beloved grandson Simeon. The celebration of life will be at his home church located at 3233 W Ball Rd, Anaheim CA 92804 on September 8th from 10AM to 12PM, followed by a cemetery service at Forest Lawn Cypress at 1PM. The family will be there to welcome relatives and friends.