Wichita lost one of its stars a couple of weeks ago. Randy Rickman, 50, died in his sleep at his home in Beaumont, Calif. He had moved there in February, four years after his divorce. He had a 12-year-old daughter, Amy.

He and his parents, Leon and Dorothy, his older brother, Bill, and younger sister, Sandy, lived in north Wichita while he was growing up. Sandy said there was always music in the house, with Randy playing guitar and singing with friends.

During the past 10 years, he focused on Christian music, but when he started, he preferred rock 'n' roll. A short stint in the late '70s with the rock group Exile propelled him to celebrity status.

Rickman sang on the band's smash hit "Kiss You All Over." A video for the song featured Rickman prancing around in a white jumpsuit.

John Pohlman, a childhood friend of Rickman's and a local radio station manager, saw the video late one night a few years ago on a best-of-the-'70s music commercial. He called Rickman to tease him. Pohlman said Rickman was always a little embarrassed about that song after he renewed his Christian faith.

"He had a great heart, and he cared about people," Pohlman said. "He was an incredibly talented guy."

Rickman turned to contemporary Christian music in the mid-'90s. He performed and started Angel Wing Studios and Kingdom Talent to produce and promote local Christian music and artists. He also gave guitar lessons.

"He was trying so desperately to get independent artists started," said Jan Watts, chief executive of Premiere Promotions and station manager of www.khib.tv, an Internet music station. She said Rickman's ideas were the inspiration for KHIB.

Watts organized a tribute to him last Thursday in Augusta. A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Nov. 13 at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 2020 E. Blake.

"He was funny, he laughed a lot, he brought a lot of laughter into the world," Sandy said. She said what she'd miss most about Rickman was his smile. She's glad he was able to do what he loved.

"He always knew his gift of song was a gift from God."