France Lyon Mission president unexpectedly passes away after brief illness

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A mission president for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France passed away.

Officials with the Church said President Jason Michael Soulier, who was serving in the France Lyon Mission, passed away in his sleep Saturday.

His death was unexpected, and a cause has yet to be determined, officials said. Soulier had been feeling sick for a few days before passing away, a press release said.

Soulier, 54, started his service in France in June. He was from Salt Lake City.

Officials said James W. McConkie III, who is the second counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency, and his wife will be temporary leaders for the Lyon mission and its approximately 200 full-time missionaries.

“We express our love and deepest sympathies to President Soulier’s family and all the missionaries in the France Lyon Mission during this difficult time,” Church officials said.

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