He received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Louisiana State University in 1950 and was also a member of the Sigma Chi Gamma Iota Chapter there.

After service in the United States Army, Cook returned to LSU and earned a second degree in petroleum engineering in 1955.

Cook was hired as an engineer trainee, but went on to hold several management positions in labor relations, refining, marketing and planning, rising to become a vice president of the company in 1970.

After heading up ARCO's West Coast refining marketing operations, he chaired the eight-company Owners’ Committee building the Trans Alaska Pipeline System.

[3] Cook was a member of the LSU Alumni Association's board of directors, an organization he had actively worked with and contributed to financially for many years.