Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work

Dekalb Walcott Jr. speaks with his son, Dekalb Walcott III, about their careers as firefighters. Dekalb Walcott Jr. comes from a family of southern farmers and cotton pickers without much education. He wanted to be a lawyer but couldn’t afford college and eventually joined the fire department. He did not have a strong desire to become a firefighter but grew into the position and learned to love it.

As a kid, while his friends wanted to be Michael Jordan, Dekalb Walcott III wanted to be just like his dad. He first visited his father at the fire department when he was eight years old and became friends with all the other firefighters. At age 21, he joined the fire department and said it was his championship-winning moment.

Walcott Jr. remarks that he watched his son’s self-esteem grow with each day on the job and how happy that makes him as a father. Walcott III feels blessed and hopes he someday has a son who will also be a firefighter.

Don Byles talks with his daughter and protégé, Mackenzie Byles, about being a funeral director. The Byles Funeral Home has been in the family since 1904. Don knew by junior high school that he intended to follow in his family’s footsteps.