Wasola man dies in tree-cutting mishap

Alvis Thomas, 77, of Wasola, died Monday afternoon in the Nottinghill area when a tree he was cutting fell on him, apparently killing him instantly.
Mr. Thomas' son, Steve Thomas, said his parents were working together, cutting the tree on some land they owned off Z Highway when the top of the tree, which had been struck by lightning sometime earlier, splintered off and fell in an unexpected direction, striking Mr. Thomas in the back.
The couple had a cell phone, but Mr. Thomas had always carried it, and Mrs. Thomas was unfamiliar with how to use it, Steve Thomas said. Dolly Thomas ran out to the highway, trying to wave down a passing motorist, but several cars passed her by without stopping, Steve said.
Bobby Anglani, grandson of nearby resident Raymond Williamson, did stop and made the call to summon help.
Mr. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene by Ozark County coroner Ron Mahan.
A full obituary appears on page 8A in the Nov. 2 Ozark County Times.