John Louis “Louie” Veal was born on May 19th, 1951 to Tommie and James Veal. Louie and his four siblings grew up in the Emory-Decatur suburb of Atlanta and was a graduate of Druid Hills High School. A veteran of the United States Navy, he served as a cryptologist while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. A Jack of all Trades, he held various positions including working as a building maintenance supervisor at Emory University to owning and operating a tile business with his younger brothers before joining his older brother, Wayne, at I&D (now Nth Degree) as a Leadman in 1987.
Over the next 22 years, Louie’s role in the company changed from Leadman to City Manager of Atlanta to Area Manager where he handled the East Coast including Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, D.C., Nashville, New Orleans, Atlanta, Orlando and Miami.
Louie also had the incredible knack of being able to look at a job and put the right crew together to make sure it went well. He led by example, treating his team and everyone with respect like they were his family. What you saw was always what you got: a genuinely honest, caring, loyal and authentic person. While he wore many “hats” through the years, the one he was most proud of was that of “Papa”. His grandchildren were his world and he was the happiest cheering them on from every baseball, basketball, lacrosse & volleyball game, orchestra concert, school play, pageant – you name it – he was there as their #1 fan. Being there for his family and friends was what was most important to him. No one showed up more for others than Louie Veal.
Louie passed on April 8, 2026. He is survived by his beloved wife Gail, sons Jason and Brad (Jamie), grandchildren Bethany (Rafi), Allie and Griffin, and great-granddaughter Maeve. Sister Becky Bradley, brother Calvin (Pete) Hawkins (Sherry) and a gaggle of nieces and nephews.
