LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. —
Devin Parks knows better than anyone what it's like to be difficult hand.
"I have to believe in my heart and have faith that God had bigger plans for him," says Parks.
His "pocket aces" - his pride and joy - is gone.
Almost a month ago, Devin's house lost power so he lit some candles. Moments later, they caught his mobile home on fire. Everyone made it out, except his seven year old son Jaxon Parks.
"The best kid really anybody could ask for," says Jaxon's father, Devin.
To help out the family, the Honey Badger Grill organized a charity poker tournament Monday night.
Devin admits, this occasion and any other in public, still require a poker face.
"I have to live the life I wanted my son to live, so I have to wake up every day and put on a smile I guess because that’s what he would want," says Devin.
Some faces around these tables are familiar.
Other like Austin Blau, just wanted to chip in.
"We wanted to support the community so we came out," says Blau. "I just put myself in the position of the family so I would want people to come out and show support as well."
Jaxon's family now plans to go all in and give this money to Peine Ridge Elementary's library, to honor Jaxon's love of reading.
"We’ll be donating books every year on his birthday. They’ll have his picture and his memory in there because one of his favorite things to do was read," says Devin.
Because Devin may have been dealt the worst hand imaginable. but he believes helping classmates in Jaxon's name, is his best bet.
"I’m blessed that he was in my life and that I could be his father," he says.
The Honey Badger Grill raised a total of $800 in Jaxon's name.