Fortune smiles on lottery winners

Sep 1, 2003, 7:52 am (1 comment)

Texas Lottery Winning the Texas lottery is bound to change your life. It's why people play it. But some area winners say the changes aren't as radical as some might think.

They have nicer cars and homes. They travel more and work less, but most still work at something.

It was the best Christmas gift the Triple J NXS Trust could receive. Their numbers -- 8, 20, 47, 51, 40, 44 -- came in on Dec. 26, 2001.

The payoff: $36 million.

The triple J's are Jim Ater, Jennifer Willis Wyatt and Justin Pratz. The "NXS" refers to two other people who prefer to keep a low profile, said Ater, owner of A&P Pharmacy, 2329 N. Riverside Drive, which is home base for the trust. All five work or worked at the drugstore.

Getting the payout in 25 yearly installments certainly lessens the shock of having a lump sum of $7.2 million dumped into your checking account.

This way, each gets $288,000 a year, or about $200,000 after taxes.

All said they invest a good portion of their yearly checks.

Ater, born and reared in Pecos, said he had heard horror stories about people who get crazy. They blow it in a hurry. Sudden wealth has also been known to destroy marriages.

"I've tried not to let it change me," said Ater, 49.

He still goes to work at the drugstore every day, he said. He and Linda, his wife of 28 years, have the same friends. They live in the same south Arlington house. The only visible difference is a backyard pool. In the garage are a 2003 maroon Corvette (his) and a new Tahoe (hers).

Ater said there were temptations. The couple found themselves looking at million-dollar homes in Colleyville but decided their priorities were elsewhere. He said they want to do more for their three children.

In the months after he won, Ater said, his brother, mother and stepfather died.

"That really helps keep things in perspective," he said.

Ater said he has no plans to retire early from the drugstore job.

Ater said he and his wife are going on a few more vacations, but they still fly coach.

"My parents brought me up right and gave me good values," he said.

"Has it changed my life?

"Of course, it's made a huge difference!" Wyatt said at her new 2,000-square-foot home overlooking Possum Kingdom Lake. "I'm 30 years old, and I don't have to worry about money.

"We know that money can't fix everything, but we're helping our family. We're setting up college funds for kids in our family. It's nice to be able to help your family."

She said she and her husband, Chad, gave a house to his mother and a car to her father.

She said she and Chad, a welder by trade, stay busy. They love living in the country. She grew up in Fort Worth and Burleson.

They work on landscaping around their house. In the garage she has a silver Mercedes 500SL. Chad has a big pickup with all the bells and whistles.

They've made several trips to Las Vegas, Reno, Nev., and Lake Tahoe, Calif. They celebrated their anniversary in Mexico.

But after some time playing, Wyatt said, the two are looking for a business they can run together, at least for now. She is looking forward to being a stay-at-home mom one day.

"Winning was a pretty amazing thing. Sometimes I still don't believe it," she said.

"I have an awesome family, and I don't think all this has gone to my head," said Pratz, 21. He was 19 when he won.

He bought some toys, but he has made investments and is minding his money.

"I don't notice much of a change other than I don't work," he said between classes.

Pratz's job right now is studying at the University of North Texas.

He has a choice of vehicles -- a Nissan 350Z and a Chevrolet Avalanche, one of those things that isn't sure whether it's a pickup or a sport utility vehicle. He also has a ski boat.

Pratz grew up in Granbury, but now lives close to school in Denton. He bought a house in southwest Austin, where he hopes to live dventually.

He said he has the same friends. Most of his new ones don't even know he won the lottery.

He is studying finance and is looking toward being a financial analyst or working in the stock market.

Pratz said he still plays the lottery on occasion.

Wyatt said she buys tickets when the jackpot is large.

Ater dreams of winning another one.







STAR-TELEGRAM/ALISON WOODWORTH

Jim Ater, left, Justin Pratz and Jennifer Willis Wyatt worked at A&P Pharmacy when they won the lottery. Ater still works there.  Editor: Nice car!







STAR-TELEGRAM/ALISON WOODWORTH

Jim Ater, left, Jennifer Willis Wyatt and Justin Pratz split a $36 million lottery prize with two others.





Star-Telegram

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CASH Only

TX needs to alow winners to choose AFTER they win. Wish I didn't need to say this.

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