Arden Collins graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1938.

He earned varsity letters in both football and track and field. He broke several track records, some of which are still standing to this day. His specialty was the 440 yard dash, setting three records, with the final being 51.4 seconds (which he then bested in college at 48.5 seconds). It was written in the local newspaper that he was the "best quarter miler in southern Ohio for his last two years at Chillicothe High School." It was also noted in the paper that "Leroy goes faster than a $5 bill at the grocers." During his high school years he also set the record for the 220 yard dash at 22.6 seconds and ran the 100 yard dash in 10.2 seconds. He almost set the record for broad jump at 21 feet, 3 3/4inches - one quarter of an inch shy of the record at that time. In 1938 he set the record for 21 first places in 7 meets. He competed in the 100, 220, and 400 yard dashes, the broad and high jumps, low hurdles and shot put.

He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical and Health Education. While at Ohio State, he received 3 letters in track and was the track team captain in 1942-1943. He was a member of the indoor and outdoor Big Ten Championship Track team, and the National Champion Track team in 1942. He was a member of the Varsity "O" Club and elected to the Scabbard and Blade National Honorary Military Society. He was a LTC in the ROTC. He was elected Vice President of the Gamma Chapter, Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He was chosen to serve as an undergraduate assistant freshman football coach to work with then-coach Paul Brown. As a senior, he was chosen to serve as head track coach of the University High School. That year the team won 7 trophies and had the best record in its track history. His college coach was quoted as saying that he "regards Collins as Olympic caliber. His time for the 440 bettered that of George Simpson when that Olympic star was a senior in a Columbus high school." Lee was training for the Olympics when he was called to active duty in the U.S. Army. He returned to Ohio State in 1946 as a graduate assistant, teaching Physical and Health Education courses and serving as freshman counselor as well as earning credits towards a Masters Degree in Physical Education.

He started his military career while still in college as a member of the ROTC. He was called into active duty in April of 1943. After many leadership roles pverseas during the war, he was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain. He remained in the Reserves where he reached the rank of Major. Among the recognition he received was the ETO Ribbon with five Battle Stars.

A corrective Physical Education course started his interest in working with handicapped individuals, specifically returning war veterans. He applied for a position in Corrective Therapy with the VA Hospital in August 1946. His first assignment was in Louisville, KY. Rising rapidly within the organization, he finished his career as the Director of the VA Hospital in Canandaigua, NY.

He was married to another Chillicothian, Elizabeth (Bet) Harness. They had 4 daughters: Dianna, Theresa, Elizabeth and Mary.