Laid off Oregon man wins $1 million

Jan 16, 2013, 9:21 am (54 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

MERLIN, Ore. — Laid off since May, Riley Gunn was driving his wife and kids home to their cabin in the woods in southern Oregon after registering for computer programming classes, when he pulled off the freeway to buy corn dogs for the kids.

Knowing his wife would not approve because money was so tight, but feeling he was sure to win, Gunn said Tuesday he bought an $8 lottery ticket, letting the machine pick the numbers.

When he checked online, he found he had won $1 million.

Riley won second prize in the Mega Millions game, but because he had also purchased the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play, his prize was increased from $250,000 to $1 million.

When Riley checked his winning ticket, he couldn't believe his eyes. "I saw that I had matched all five numbers, but not the Mega Ball," he said.

He woke up his wife, Misti, with the news that they were $250,000 winners. When Riley remembered that he had chosen the Megaplier option, and the Megaplier multiplier "4" was drawn, he realized he was a $1 million winner.

"I just couldn't believe it. Misti and I were both shocked, and really excited."

Gunn said after collecting his $670,000 in winnings, after taxes, he gave a tenth to his church, bought a pair of new Jeeps, and put in a bid on a house. He plans to use the rest to start his own software business.

Riley purchased the winning Mega Millions ticket at Lil' Pantry Market & Deli in Merlin, Oregon, for the January 4 drawing. 

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Thanks to truesee for the tip.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

670k goes a LONG WAY in Oregon!

 

Congrats to the family.

MADDOG10's avatarMADDOG10

Kudos to the Gunn family.

A nice way to start the New Year....!

Set4life's avatarSet4life

Wow that is great news!! Congrats to them.Embarassed

weshar75's avatarweshar75

Congrats to the couple on their big win!  I am hoping my million is coming soon too!-weshar75

US Flag

dk1421's avatardk1421

So happy for them!!! 

I've been looking for a job over a year, so I hope I'm next!

Saylorgirl's avatarSaylorgirl

Congratulations!  What a sweet story!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Cheers

noise-gate

Hope your wish comes true..

Aint nothing like having matching jeeps after a win its the new status symbol of happiness.
Enjoy your winnings. .

Ronnie316

Nice win....... And nice looking family.

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Congratulations, Gunns, on your tidy MM Lottery jackpot win.  Good thing, Riley, you were smart enough to remember to buy the "multiplier" option. 

It's great to see a person without much money left win a high jackpot!!!  I'm glad Riley Gunn bought into the MM if he felt strong conviction to do so that day.  However, I'm simply confused why he thought it was okay to buy more than one 'draw line' if his family was in dire financial straights.  Perhaps, the trick to winning is in a "gambling mindset" which hasn't admitted financial poverty.

Group Hug

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Thats got to be the 10th time i read someone hitting by spending $8. LOL I'll bet the corndogs were an excuse to buy lottery tickets.

Dynomitemike

Sometimes Lady Luck does pick the right people.

They are giving 10% to the Church, bought 2 Jeeps, made a bid on a house, and is starting a computer softwear business. Good Choises; Good for them. CONGRADULATIONS.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Congrats to the familyThumbs Up, i'm gonna get me a cabin in the woods Dance

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Dynomitemike on Jan 16, 2013

Sometimes Lady Luck does pick the right people.

They are giving 10% to the Church, bought 2 Jeeps, made a bid on a house, and is starting a computer softwear business. Good Choises; Good for them. CONGRADULATIONS.

I Agree! Lady Luck

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Congrats, but watch out for the parasites that will want "their fair share"

ressuccess's avatarressuccess

Wow. I didn't know that person won $1 million dollars despite being laid off.

Seattlejohn

Congratulations to them!  Hope they use it wisely; DO NOT END UP ON "CURSE OF THE LOTTERY"!!!

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

Quote: Originally posted by weshar75 on Jan 16, 2013

Congrats to the couple on their big win!  I am hoping my million is coming soon too!-weshar75

US Flag

you should take a road trip down to the Lil' Pantry Market & Deli in Merlin, maybe that store is lucky LOL

HoLeeKau's avatarHoLeeKau

He was coming home from registering for a computer programming class, and now he's starting his own software business?  I don't know anything about computers, but I'd think you'd have to know programming to have a successful software business.  No?

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

Quote: Originally posted by ressuccess on Jan 16, 2013

Wow. I didn't know that person won $1 million dollars despite being laid off.

all sorts of people win, from bums and hobos to doctors and hedge fund managers.

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Quote: Originally posted by Original Bey on Jan 16, 2013

670k goes a LONG WAY in Oregon!

 

Congrats to the family.

I disagree.  Although it is a beautiful state, housing isn't cheap.  Of course I am very happy for the family, and it was very thoughtful of them to give to their church, but they really need to slow down.   Deduct the 10% tithe and the 2 Jeeps, and now they have about $550,000.   So now they need a home.

Yes, I would love to win $1 million.  Still, if someone gave me a check for over $600,000 tomorrow I wouldn't go out and buy a new Jeep (2 of them!) right away.  I still have my 2006 Camry, and it's running just fine.  I might, however, splurge for some detailing since it's ready for a good wax job.  We can't believe every word we read in the paper, but one article said they were so broke, they had to borrow money for gas to get to the Lottery. To me that means their credit cards were maxed out (or canceled)  But he still had an extra $16 to gamble on lottery tickets?  Boy, is he lucky!  This sure sends a message that, even if you are living off of your relatives and don't have enough to pay for gas, take a chance and blow $16 on the lottery and you might win $1 million.  On the one hand, it's one of the most heartwarming stories I've read lately.  On the other, it sends the wrong message. 

Well, he's a very luck man.  I hope the family enjoys good health and has a bright future.  However, if I had to hazard a guess, I'd predict the money will all be gone in 5 years.

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jan 16, 2013

I disagree.  Although it is a beautiful state, housing isn't cheap.  Of course I am very happy for the family, and it was very thoughtful of them to give to their church, but they really need to slow down.   Deduct the 10% tithe and the 2 Jeeps, and now they have about $550,000.   So now they need a home.

Yes, I would love to win $1 million.  Still, if someone gave me a check for over $600,000 tomorrow I wouldn't go out and buy a new Jeep (2 of them!) right away.  I still have my 2006 Camry, and it's running just fine.  I might, however, splurge for some detailing since it's ready for a good wax job.  We can't believe every word we read in the paper, but one article said they were so broke, they had to borrow money for gas to get to the Lottery. To me that means their credit cards were maxed out (or canceled)  But he still had an extra $16 to gamble on lottery tickets?  Boy, is he lucky!  This sure sends a message that, even if you are living off of your relatives and don't have enough to pay for gas, take a chance and blow $16 on the lottery and you might win $1 million.  On the one hand, it's one of the most heartwarming stories I've read lately.  On the other, it sends the wrong message. 

Well, he's a very luck man.  I hope the family enjoys good health and has a bright future.  However, if I had to hazard a guess, I'd predict the money will all be gone in 5 years.

What article are you referring to? The one above or something else you read online? I read the article above a few times after seeing your response and a lot of those details are not there.

 

I was shocked that they were able to do all of those things which led to my remark and I congraulated them on their win. It's not my place to tell people how to spend their winfall although we all have a right to our opinions and some of what you mentioned makes perfect sense.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by whiteballz on Jan 16, 2013

all sorts of people win, from bums and hobos to doctors and hedge fund managers.

No No categorizing people

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Quote: Originally posted by Original Bey on Jan 16, 2013

What article are you referring to? The one above or something else you read online? I read the article above a few times after seeing your response and a lot of those details are not there.

 

I was shocked that they were able to do all of those things which led to my remark and I congraulated them on their win. It's not my place to tell people how to spend their winfall although we all have a right to our opinions and some of what you mentioned makes perfect sense.

I am having trouble posting.  It might be my internet connection.  Anyway, sorry ...  I was trying to edit my last comment.  Apparently I read another article this morning before signing on, and it said they bid on a home in Calif.   

Also, please do not misread my post.  I said I was happy for them and was only responding to the comment that $670,000 goes a long way in Oregon.   I would be thrilled to win all that money.  I was only saying that after buying a home, furniture and paying what additional tax they might owe, they're not going to be wealthy, so they should slow down and be careful.

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jan 16, 2013

I am having trouble posting.  It might be my internet connection.  Anyway, sorry ...  I was trying to edit my last comment.  Apparently I read another article this morning before signing on, and it said they bid on a home in Calif.   

Also, please do not misread my post.  I said I was happy for them and was only responding to the comment that $670,000 goes a long way in Oregon.   I would be thrilled to win all that money.  I was only saying that after buying a home, furniture and paying what additional tax they might owe, they're not going to be wealthy, so they should slow down and be careful.

I agree!

 

Even if they can purchase all of those items and survive tax season they would be "flat broke" as a best case scenario give their decision-making.

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

I cannot think of a better outcome for an unemployed man playing the lottery. He seems like he loves taking big risks. Big risks = heavy losses or big rewards.

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Quote: Originally posted by Original Bey on Jan 16, 2013

I agree!

 

Even if they can purchase all of those items and survive tax season they would be "flat broke" as a best case scenario give their decision-making.

Well, not necessarily flat broke, but starting a business isn't easy.  Often it takes years to make a profit.    Maybe they only want a modest home, and certainly anything will be better than a one room cabin in the woods for 4 people.  However, a home in Oregon or Calif will still average about $200,000 depending on the area.  Being close to retirement, I've done a lot of research.  Oregon has one of the highest personal tax rates in the country, up to 12%. The Oregon Lottery automatically deducts 25% for Federal and 8% for State.  However, depending on the winner's total income and deductions, it's possible they will owe more.

People say all sorts of things when they're excited.  As one poster said above, on the one hand he is talking about running his own software company, but on the other, it says he was taking courses in computer programming.   Still, there's nothing wrong with dreaming and making plans for your future.  However, there's an old expression my grandfather used to say.   The English translation is "Man plans, God laughs."

Again, more than $600,000 would be a lot of money to win and I'd be ecstatic.   I wasn't criticizing the winners, but simply stating that being prudent is the best way to handle a windfall.  Before the story even hit the news, they had already run out and bought 2 cars and bid on a home.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

What a nice family!

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jan 16, 2013

Well, not necessarily flat broke, but starting a business isn't easy.  Often it takes years to make a profit.    Maybe they only want a modest home, and certainly anything will be better than a one room cabin in the woods for 4 people.  However, a home in Oregon or Calif will still average about $200,000 depending on the area.  Being close to retirement, I've done a lot of research.  Oregon has one of the highest personal tax rates in the country, up to 12%. The Oregon Lottery automatically deducts 25% for Federal and 8% for State.  However, depending on the winner's total income and deductions, it's possible they will owe more.

People say all sorts of things when they're excited.  As one poster said above, on the one hand he is talking about running his own software company, but on the other, it says he was taking courses in computer programming.   Still, there's nothing wrong with dreaming and making plans for your future.  However, there's an old expression my grandfather used to say.   The English translation is "Man plans, God laughs."

Again, more than $600,000 would be a lot of money to win and I'd be ecstatic.   I wasn't criticizing the winners, but simply stating that being prudent is the best way to handle a windfall.  Before the story even hit the news, they had already run out and bought 2 cars and bid on a home.

I agree.  90% of all new businesses fail so they need to take things slow. I hope they start a business with lower overhead like consulting.

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