Missouri couple claims second big lottery prize in 18 months

Jan. 3 (UPI) -- A Missouri man who won a $262,000 lottery jackpot in 2016 is now planning to retire after winning a second prize with $25,000 a year for life.

James Perry of Chillicothe told Missouri Lottery officials he and his wife, Linda, collected a $262,000 prize from a Show Me Cash scratch-off ticket in July 2016.

Perry said his wife encouraged him to give up the lottery after the big win.

"She had been giving me a hard time after that first win," James Perry said.

"I told him, 'We won once, and we are so blessed. Why do you think you'll win again?' Later, I apologized," Linda Perry said.

James Perry struck it big a second time days before Christmas when he won $25,000 a year for life from a Lucky for Life ticket.

"I am going to retire," James Perry said.

Perry said he bought both of his winning tickets at the Hy-Vee Gas store in Chillicothe.