NC iron worker wins $10 million lottery prize. ‘I’ll still be the same old me.’
A North Carolina man vows to be “the same old me” after winning a $10 million lottery prize — the largest scratch-off payout available in the state.
That’s what Wade Harmon of Johnston County told N.C. Education Lottery officials after claiming his prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh Friday.
Harmon is an iron worker who lives in Kenly.
He was returning home from work when he bought the winning $300,000,000 Supreme Riches scratch-off ticket at the Big Boys store on Bagley Road in Kenly, lottery officials said.
Harmon played Pick 3 and Pick 4 and bought a single $30 scratch-off ticket, according to the release.
“I went home and fired up my grill, and I said, ‘Well, I might as well scratch my ticket,’” Harmon told lottery officials. “I looked down and I said, ‘Woah!’”
He could choose between taking the $10 million as a $500,000-a-year annuity over 20 years and $6 million lump sum. He chose the lump sum. After taxes, he netted $4,245,009, according to the lottery.
“I’m thankful, I really am,” Harmon told lottery officials. “I believe the Lord saved that for me. He had a reason for me to win this ticket. He’s got plans for me.”
Harmon said he plans to continue working “for a bit more” and “use the money for retirement in a few years.”
When the coronavirus outbreak ends and such excursions are deemed safe, he said, he will take his children and and their families on a cruise.
One $10 million prize and one $1 million prize remain to be claimed in the $300,000,000 Supreme Riches game, according to the lottery.
The game debuted in April 2019 with four $10 million top prizes and six $1 million prizes .
This story was originally published May 16, 2020 at 12:28 PM with the headline "NC iron worker wins $10 million lottery prize. ‘I’ll still be the same old me.’."