When John de Graaff was in high school, he interviewed firefighters for a project and stumbled upon his life's calling.  After talking with firefighters about what they do, he replied, "And you get paid for this?"  At 17, he began as a volunteer firefighter with the Ventura County Fire District.  He served in the US Navy for four years before returning as a full-time firefighter with Fair Oaks Fire District.  He was promoted to fire captain in 1985 and served in this post for more than 30 fulfilling years.  He died of job-related cardiopulmonary arrest.