He Answered The Call
James McCarthur “Mack” Alsobrooks Lived A Life That Helped Influence Us All
By Raoul Dennis
Once you’d met Mack Alsobrooks, you felt as though you’d known him for years. Although he had a smooth confidence and swag, that was the exterior. If you sat with him for more than five minutes, you felt his heart.
On more than a few occasions, he shared insight on trending issues in the county or how to navigate an issue with the relaxed tone that you’d have in a conversation with a stranger seated next to you on a flight. His smile, his wisdom and his easy tone welcomed those around him to lean in and listen, to hear and be heard.
As a young man, he literally met his match when he met Patricia Ann Thompson. Due to their love of reading and hunger for knowledge, the pair formed their own personal two-way book club. They read their way to love, and then the altar in 1969. Living their own romance novel, Mr. and Mrs. Alsobrooks never looked back. They started a family.
He talked about raising his daughters, Kimberly and Angela with an openness that wasn’t typical of men of his generation. But it was the right approach for girls who would become women in leadership, financial anchors of major political campaigns, manage governments, and, eventually, hold a seat in the United States Senate.
Mack’s devotion to God and family directed everything in his life. And in so doing, he became a leading force in his community. His impact was evident as some 1,500 attended his Celebration of Life Service at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington on April 24. Attended by family, friends, faith and business leaders, elected officials (past and present), the atmosphere was combined with the spirit of family reunion and the deep sorrow of an unexpected loss.
My first impression of Mr. Alsobrooks came from a distance. Listening to Angela, who was campaigning for County Executive in 2017, as she spoke of her father, who worked in shipping The Washington Post. Her words resonated with me as she talked about his sacrifice for his family and his simultaneous passion for instilling life lessons in his daughters.
Ten minutes after meeting Mack Alsobrooks in person, Angela’s words rang true. From then on, there was never a question or issue he wasn’t willing to discuss when it came to the county. He was a calm voice of reason, an ally, and a friend whose faith anchored everything he did. And in his work, he didn’t order people into action. He let them know it needed to be done and why—and they didn’t want to let him down. This is the very definition of leadership. And if you needed him, he didn’t make excuses. He answered the call.
It was an honor to have known him.
