John Richardson of Greensboro said he’s counting the days until he can visit his son and grandson in Colorado thanks to a $200,000 lottery win.

“My son’s an officer in the Army and they’re stationed out there,” Richardson said. “I haven’t been able to afford to go see them for two years. I have a three-year-old grandson who I skype with, but now I finally get to see my baby in person.”

The school custodian’s good fortune happened when he stopped by the Dasa Express Mart on Groometown Road in Greensboro and bought a $200,000 Back Scratch scratch-off ticket.

“At first I thought I won $1,000,” Richardson said. “Then I finished scratching it and I saw the $200,000. I almost passed out!”

Richardson claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $141,003.

“It feel so good to win,” Richardson said. “I never thought it would happen to someone like me.”

The $5 ticket launched in September with four top prizes of $200,000. One top prize remains.

Ticket sales from games like $200,000 Back Scratch make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $650 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.