Founder Of PC Power Dies

Monday, December 17th 2007, 10:14 am

By: News On 6

A retired Tulsa police officer who made it his life's work to get computers to children who couldnâ€™t afford them died Saturday. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports Glenn Deweese started with a small dream that turned into a full-time, non-profit group called PC Power.

Glenn Deweese was not about the spotlight or recognition. He was all about putting others first and worked long, hard hours to do just that. He had a massive stroke on Saturday, but his legacy of selflessness will live on in his daughters and those he helped.

Retired police officer Glenn DeWeese was helping his grandson do homework on a computer several years ago when it dawned on him many kids would fall behind in school and in life if they didn't have a computer at home. He made a goal to refurbish 10 used computers and give them away. The small dream began in his workshop and turned into a huge communitywide project.

More families requested computers and more people donated old computers and parts and before long, Glenn had to start PC Power, a non-profit group to handle it all. His daughters say Glenn taught them to put others before themselves.

"He's always going the extra mile. Never once front and center. Doesn't want credit for anything,â€ said daughter Amber Colaw.

Glenn's group has given new life to hundreds of old computers. He made it a goal to outfit every student at Cleveland Middle school with a computer to take home. They provided complete rebuilt computers with educational software and training for students and parents alike. His family was used to him working on computers, even if it meant missing family events.

"He's the perfect example of this time of year and what the season represents. Selfless, taking care of others, going the extra mile, taking care of people in our community who need help,â€ said daughter Amber Colaw.

Glenn DeWeese's North Pole Project provided computers to families chosen by police officers who saw families in need throughout the year. Glenn and volunteers got the computers ready and wrapped and officers delivered them right before Christmas. This year is their biggest effort ever, with 200 computers ready to make someone's dream come true. Those computers were supposed to be delivered this Friday and the police department plans to do exactly that.

The family is hoping someone will step up to take over PC Power and continue Glenn's mission. Services for Glenn DeWeese will be Saturday morning at 10 at the Tulsa Police Lodge on East 21st Street.

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