Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 | 4:05 a.m.

Updated: 8:14 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, 2008 | Posted: 8:04 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, 2008

Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Worth $1 Million For Georgia Man

After Stopping For A Soda, Jesup Man Wins Big

ATLANTA —

A Jesup pipefitter is $1 million richer after a win with a scratch-off ticket in the Georgia Lottery.

Gil Mallard, 48, won the big prize playing the Georgia Lottery's 15th Anniversary Millionaire Extravaganza instant game.

Mallard stopped for a soda at the Jesup Discount Corner, purchased the ticket and scratched it in the car.

"I immediately went home and showed it to my wife," he said. "She was happy and that made me happy."

His daughter currently is attending school on a HOPE scholarship funded with lottery proceeds.

"I'm really proud of her," he said.

A pipefitter for a local chemical plant, Mallard and his wife, Laurie, have no immediate plans for their winnings.