By Janet Jacobs
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana —
Wednesday was the final day of work for Capt. Darrell Stevenson of the Corsicana Fire Department, and dozens of city workers and friends celebrated that part of his life at a reception Wednesday afternoon.
Stevenson is retiring after 33 1/2 years with the department. He’s 55.
“It’s hard to walk away from something that’s been your life,” he said.
He’ll be missed in the department as both a good captain, firefighter and a colorful personality, said Fire Chief Donald McMullan.
As going-away gifts, the fireman received a new watch, a shadow-box containing a badge and shoulder patch, his fire helmet, a plaque and a card with a collection of money from his co-workers.
Stevenson is probably best known to residents of the city for a nearly-tragic motorcycle wreck he had in October 2006. He was eventually able to return to work, but it was rough for about six months, he said.
“I could tell subtle differences,” Stevenson said. “Cognitively, I could do the job, but I seemed to get stressed easier. After about six months, it all fell back into place.”
For Asst. Chief Ricki Crenshaw, it’s nearing the end of an era as some of the senior firefighters like Stevenson leave the force. Crenshaw has served with Stevenson for 29 1/2 years.
“It’s more of a family-type life than a co-worker relationship,” Crenshaw explained. With 24-hours on a shift spent together, the men became more than friends, he said.
“Back then we were all from around here, we had the same background, we were all country boys,” he said. “We grew pretty close.”
Darrell Stevenson’s father was also a firefighter and spent 11 years with the Corsicana Fire Department. Stevenson’s step-son has also joined the force as an EMT.
Stevenson said his father did provide some inspiration. Stevenson’s first experience with a fire was not on the force, however. His first fire was at home when his younger sisters set fire to a closet while playing with matches. His mother was at the Laundromat, and his father at work, so Stevenson ran the block and a half to the fire substation on Second Avenue. His father responded in an old 1949 Dodge engine and put the nozzle into his 11-year-old son’s hands.
“The back pressure slammed me up against the fence and I was amazed at the power of the water,” Stevenson recalled.
His father went inside, and the boy tried to follow but was forced back out by the smoke. Back then, firemen didn’t have breathing apparatus, but his father went into the house and stayed in to put out the fire.
Stevenson began with the department on March 1, 1977, during some tough times, economically. The country was in a recession, the city was struggling with an aging infrastructure and a rash of insurance-related arsons, and there was plenty of experience to be had.
“I started when our salary was $625 a month, and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven,” he said. “There’s some of us, like Kevin and Gerald, who have seen a lot in our times. There have been times of joy and despair and people we couldn’t save. Through it all, it has been a very rewarding career for me.”
He advised the younger firefighters to “hang in there,” because it’s a noble calling to save lives and protect property.
Stevenson said he intends try his hand at writing a novel, and he will also continue his hobby of motorcycle riding. He was back on a motorcycle within months of recovering from his 2006 accident.
His wife said she doesn’t worry about it.
“Six months after his accident he bought another motorcycle and in the meantime he was riding mine,” said Marty Stevenson, his wife. “It’s too late to worry about that now.”
—————
Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “sound off” to this article? E-mail: Soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
