09/29/2026
Born in Snyder, Texas, John Mark McLaughlin, learned early on what it meant to give back by watching his father. Throughout his life, McLaughlin felt the need to contribute to his community and support it through his involvement in various efforts much the same as his father did in Synder. Over the years, he has served on the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce and was active in the Concho Valley Council of the Boy Scouts feeling drawn towards empowering youth to start out on and live on the right life path. His work as a lawyer helped opened the door of the Angelo Community Hospital in 1976 after collaborating with the San Angelo City Council to create a non-taxing hospital district. 20 years later, the nonprofit hospital was sold, becoming San Angelo Community Medical Center. Forward thinking, the trustees used the interest from the proceeds collected to create the San Angelo Health Foundation. As many know, the Health Foundation, has made a significant impact on our area and continues to today. After several years of service, the Health Foundation launched the San Angelo Area Foundation in 2002 with John Mark and his wife, Amy, serving as the first donors.
The San Angelo Symphony is grateful for Mr. McLaughlin's generous support of classical orchestral music and for believing in the importance of the arts in our area. His work over the years giving back to his community are shown through his belief in the concept of "always doing what you can". As he once said, "Others will take our place and should. It's not the honor of doing it, it's the responsibility. There is a tradition of people making a difference, doing what they can."
