Even though her oldest son died nearly 18 months ago while serving in the Marines, a Paulding County woman says he must have had something to do with her recent lottery win.
Claire Estopinal was shocked when she won a Jeep Wrangler playing the instant game Jeep Outdoor Adventure. But knowing that her son, Pfc. Jason Hill Estopinal, had planned to buy a Jeep when he returned from Afghanistan makes it even more special, she told the AJC.
"This put a real smile on my face," Claire Estopinal said. "I think he was somehow with us when I bought the ticket. Now, he has a Jeep."
Estopinal said her family, including husband Jason and son Parker, was changed forever Feb. 15, 2010, after the news that 21-year-old "J.J." Estopinal had been killed. The 2007 East Paulding High School graduate had been in Afghanistan for about three months when he died.
But winning the Jeep, along with a $25,000 cash prize, has made things brighter for the Dallas family, Claire Estopinal said. The family has a new puppy, who soon will have a fenced-in backyard to run in. And Parker, now a college student, has his eye on some new musical equipment to play in his band.
So who's going to drive the Jeep: Claire or Jason?
“We both want to drive it," Claire said. "We’re going to take turns.”
And though he isn't alive, the Marine will still be a part of the family's new Jeep, Claire Estopinal said. An artist is creating a portrait of J.J. for the back wheel cover.
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