AUSTRALIA — James R. Gilpatrick Sr., 59, of Vancouver, Wash., and China, died suddenly on May 28, while on a business trip to Australia.

He was born at Camp Lejune, N.C., Dec. 8, 1951, the son of Jean and Lionel Gilpatrick. He was educated in schools of Maine and graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn and the University of Maine, with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.

He worked in a management capacity in various paper mills in the U.S., Singapore and Saudi Arabia. Over the past eight to 10 years, he had formed his own company, formulating chemicals for various paper companies in China and Australia.

He leaves his mother, Jean of Turner; brother, Brian and wife, Mary, of Biddeford; sister, Karen and husband, Glen, of Buckfield; wife, Melani of Meridian, Miss.; children, James Jr., Erica and Andrea of Livermore Falls and Wilton, Maggie of Meridian, Miss., and companion, Tong Tong and baby, Christian, of China and Jackie, of China; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several aunts, uncles and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Lionel in 2004; and his nephew, Scott Robinson in 2006. Burial will be a private family service.