Eugene Shelton began studying LOTUS in Zweibrucken, Germany in 1974 under the tutelage of Ajarn Mack Petry.  Shelton was one of Petry's original students, who on his first belt promotion test to yellow belt was identified as the ranking student.

Shelton comments, "We worked very hard during training sessions and practices.  We were a class that received basically the original training out of Thailand.  We trained 4 hours a day, 4 days a week. In this class two other members were Royce B. Priestly (022-1B) and James Taylor (022-2B).  They were both instrumental in my training.  My training was enhanced immensely due to Ajarn Petry living down the street from me.  On his day off if he wanted to work out, he would come and get me.  I advanced through the ranks and I truly believed he was harder on me because of the addition or extra time on the mat with him.  I earned by Black Belt in December 1975 after a 2 hour and 20 minute belt test."

In July 1976, Shelton received Air Force orders to Aviano, Italy.  He began teaching LOTUS to a class of about 8 students, where he was able to promote two of his students to Blue Belt before they had to leave for another assignment.

Shelton currently does not teach or train in LOTUS.  He resides in Richmond, Virigina.