Family remembers Latter-day Saint mission president who died in France
Dec 30, 2024, 6:28 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Family members of a Latter-day Saint mission president from Utah are in shock after he unexpectedly passed away in his sleep over the weekend.
Jason Michael Soulier, 54, died Saturday after feeling sick for a few days, according to a statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His cause of death is unknown. He and his wife, Jennifer, had been serving as leaders of the France Lyon Mission since June.
Jason Soulier and his wife Jennifer Soulier were serving as leaders of the France Lyon Mission. Jason Soulier died suddenly Saturday in his sleep. (Courtesy, Church Newsroom)
Now his parents, who live in Salt Lake City, are grieving and waiting for answers about how it happened.
“He was doing what he loved best,” said Mike Soulier, Jason Soulier’s father. “He loved being a missionary.”
In fact, for Jason Soulier, going back to France was like going home. He had served a Latter-day Saint mission in the region as a young man and spoke French.
“It was like this was his life-fulfilled mission, if you will, to go do this,” Mike Soulier told KSL TV.
Mike Soulier and his wife, Barbara Soulier, received a phone call Saturday informing them their son had passed away.
“Disbelief,” Barbara Soulier remembered feeling. “Just disbelief.”
Barbara and Mike Soulier, Jason Soulier’s parents, said he loved being a missionary. (Eddie Collins, KSL TV)
“I kept saying, how can this happen?” Mike Soulier added. “He’s a mission president over there. How can this happen?”
Jason Soulier was the oldest of four kids. Raised in the eastern United States, he later attended the University of Utah. He was a chemical engineer by training and worked in healthcare sales before going to France to begin a three-year assignment leading the mission in Lyon.
“He has always been very positive, no matter what life brought to him,” Barbara Soulier said.
Jason and Jennifer Soulier lived in East Millcreek and had four children and several grandchildren, his parents said.
“He died just one day after their 30th anniversary,” Barbara Soulier said.
Jason Soulier with his daughter Sarah Soulier in France in 2024. (Courtesy, Soulier family)
Since news of their son’s death became public, the Souliers have heard from a lot of people.
“A lot of them took time to tell us not just condolences,” said Mike Soulier, becoming emotional, “but told us what Jason meant in their lives.”
The Souliers said their son loved leading the missionaries in France and made an impact wherever he went.
“We just loved him so very much and feel like we were very blessed to have him be our son,” Barbara Soulier said.
“A great son,” added Mike Soulier.
Barbara and Mike Soulier, Jason Soulier’s parents, told KSL TV they hope his autopsy will shed light on Jason Soulier’s cause of death Saturday. (Eddie Collins, KSL TV)
The family is awaiting an autopsy they hope will shed more light on Jason Soulier’s cause of death. After that, his body can be returned to the United States for his funeral.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Soulier is still in France. According to the family, she plans to say goodbye to the missionaries and pack up before returning to Utah likely late this week.
