Despite a troubled past, James Craig's family said he had started to turn his life around long before he struck it rich and won a $9.7 million Indiana Lotto jackpot earlier this year.
"My brother had been incarcerated for petty (non-violent) crimes, but he used that time to better himself in many ways; especially through education, which helped get him paroled three years ago," said Ruth Craig.
Craig said her brother earned both associate and bachelor degrees in business while he was enrolled in the Indiana prison's college program.
"He accomplished that difficult goal, despite being in a very stressful environment," said Craig.
Craig said after her brother was released from a prison in Miami county, he became gainfully employed and vowed to spend the rest of his life working hard and living a productive life.
He also hoped the lottery win would ensure his future.
But on April 17, Craig was driving when his car crashed into a utility pole on U.S. 231, ending his life and the dream.
He was only 43.
But before his untimely death, Craig outlined a blueprint that would ultimately benefit his family.
Merrillville attorney Brian Popp, who was hired by Craig shortly after the lottery win, said he advised his client to form a Kenyon LLC, a limited partnership. The partnership would protect Craig's financial windfall.
Popp also explained, according to Indiana state lottery regulations, if the lottery winner selects an annuity and they should die during the interim, their family is entitled to the pay out.
Craig elected to take a lump sum of the lottery win, which left a gross value (before taxes) of approximately $5.2 million.
"Mr. Craig was proactive by forming a limited partnership. You have to give him credit for that," said Popp.
Craig describes her brother as being generous to a fault.
"The part of his new found fortune that made him the happiest, was giving the people he loved the things he felt they needed," said Craig. "Once he even gave a server a 110 percent tip on a meal."
Craig said her brother dreamed of having a place where he could have gatherings with close friends and family.
"He wanted to share the wealth and go into business with his best friend and provide homes for his sisters and our parents," Craig said. "Before he died, he set up trust funds that will help his nieces and nephews through college... he cared enough to want to send them off in a new car, something that would be reliable and safe.
"More than anything, Jim was unselfish and loved his friends and family unconditionally -- that was his legacy."
It's a good thing he took the LUMP SUM...