Young Hornet answers the call to serve with Crabbs Prairie Volunteer Fire Department

A Huntsville graduate turns passion, family legacy and faith into service

James Cauthen did not waste much time wondering what came next after high school. The Huntsville High School graduate, a Hornet through and through, found clarity not in a classroom but in service, answering the call as a volunteer with the Crabbs Prairie Volunteer Fire Department.

A young man finding his path

Cauthen said his high school years included college-level coursework, career and technical education classes, and hands-on skills like welding, but none of it fully answered the question of what he wanted to do long term. That question lingered even as he earned certifications and explored different career paths.

“I realized I needed to find something that mattered,” Cauthen said during a recent appearance on Good Morning Huntsville. “Something where I could serve and feel like I was part of a team.”

Inspired by family service

That sense of direction began to take shape through family influence. Cauthen’s uncle, Donnie Smith, served as a lieutenant with the Huntsville Fire Department, and ride-alongs opened his eyes to the reality of emergency service. Just as impactful was learning more about his father’s own history.

Cauthen shared that his father, Billy, volunteered with Crabbs Prairie in the early 2000s, serving as a captain at one station and a lieutenant at another. Old helmets, trucks and stories from that era became more than memorabilia. They became motivation.

“It made me proud,” Cauthen said. “It showed me that serving your community isn’t just something you talk about. It’s something you do.”

Training and commitment

After graduating, Cauthen completed a 12-week EMT academy and later entered the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) fire academy in Bryan-College Station, an opportunity that opened unexpectedly when a slot became available. He earned his EMT certification and completed rigorous fire training alongside classmates from across Texas and beyond.

Now back home, Cauthen serves strictly as a volunteer with Crabbs Prairie, responding to calls when he can and spending long hours at the station. He said the work brings a sense of purpose that is hard to describe.

“There’s something about being there,” he said. “Even if you’re just sitting at the station, you know you’re ready if the call comes.”

Faith at the center

Cauthen credits his faith as a steady anchor throughout the demanding training and long days. He said belief in God and reliance on a higher calling carried him through physical and mental challenges.

“You can’t put all your faith in yourself,” he said. “You’ve got to put it in something bigger, especially when you’re serving others.”

Support from his church community also played a practical role, helping with tuition costs and encouragement as he pursued certification.

Looking ahead

While committed to Crabbs Prairie, Cauthen is also looking to the future, with plans to apply to a full-time department in the Houston area while continuing ongoing training and certifications required in the fire service.

For now, the young Hornet remains focused on serving the community that helped shape him.

“I want to give back to the people who invested in me,” Cauthen said. “This is how I know to do that.”