It took 23 years a long Time, but finally patience paid off in a big way for a St. Louis couple who won $70 million Powerball jackpot. After more than two decades of playing the same Powerball numbers, a combination of family birthdays, matched all five white-ball numbers, as well as the Powerball, in the July 4 drawing to win the $70 million jackpot prize.
The Missouri Lottery on Wednesday introduced the 62-year-old Tom Rea and his wife, Catherine Ruggeri-Rea, as winners of a $70 million Powerball jackpot from the July 4 drawing. The couple claimed the prize at the Missouri Lottery headquarters in Jefferson City on Friday. He purchased the winning ticket at a Gas Mart, 6901 Hampton Avenue in south St. Louis.
The couple took a lump sum payment of $42.7 million before taxes. Rea, a building maintenance supervisor for the city of St. Louis, said he plans to retire immediately. His wife, who is the city’s courts administrator, plans to stay on the job through at least October. Lottery officials said Rea’s ticket is the 31st Powerball jackpot in Missouri, and ranks as the state’s ninth-largest jackpot win.
Powerball winning numbers for Saturday, July 4, 2015 are 3, 6, 14, 18, 24. The Powerball number is 21.
| Powerball Numbers – Saturday, July 4, 2015 |
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| 3614182421 |
Tom and Cathy Rea accept their oversized check for $70 million from Missouri Lottery director May