Orlando Yates

Surrounded by family and friends, Orlando Laron Sol Yates, 29, peacefully transitioned to his heavenly spirit in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 8, 2018.Orlando was born in Gary, Indiana, on April 12, 1989 to Sharon Renee Yates and Adrian Kirkendolph. He graduated from Ben Davis High School in the Wayne Township district in Indianapolis.Orlando was a loving, nephew and devoted friend. He accepted Christ at a very young age. Being a devout Christian, he gained his love of music and singing and reading the Bible. He was able to play both the flute and keyboard by ear. He was also a part of the Holy Bethel Church in Gary, Indiana as well as Puritan Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He later joined the adult choir at Puritan one he became of age, later becoming the choir director there as well.Orlando enjoyed cooking, singing and music. He was a member of Indy's Youth Gospel Music Camp (I.Y.G.M.C.), lifetime member of the NAACP, Boy Scouts, Giant Kingsmen Club at Ben Davis, tutor at Puritan Baptist Church and was a member of the IvyTech Gospel Choir.

Orlando was a bartender, cook and server at Benihana's in Indianapolis. He then became manager and later transferred to Cincinnati, Ohio as such. He was then prompted to traveling manager to various locations.Orlando was preceded in death by his grandparents, Othelor and William Yates; and uncle, Eric Kirkendolph.Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Sharon Yates and Adrian Kirkendolph; step-mother, Tami Kirkendolph; grandmother, Dorothy (Edward) Brooks; aunts, Kashia Yates (Gerald Trotter), Charmaine Law, Evonne Chester, Martha Surney, Fern Dowell, Acue Powell; uncles, Williams Yates, Jr., James, Elcin and Ernest (Lisa) Kirkendolph; sisters, Mia Baird, Adrianna Kirk, Latisha Washington, Amber Black; best friend, Marcya Hill-Brown Marciano; godparents, Belinda & Wesley Bennett; goddaughter, Marcyanna Hill-Brown Marciano; along with a host cousins, nieces, nephews, god sisters, god brothers and friends.Celebration of life service will be held at Noon on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Puritan Missionary Baptist Church, 827 W 27th St, with visitation there from 10 am until service time.