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Thomas Cook Obituary
At his request, no service is planned and his ashes will be scattered in Alaska at a later date. A wake will be from 2-4 p.m. March 21 at Reilly's Irish Pub on Fireweed Lane.
Mr. Cook was born June 18, 1936, in Muskogee, Okla. After growing up in Muskogee, he graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and subsequently received a Master's of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
From an early age, Mr. Cook was interested in geology and spent his professional career in the oil business.
Mr. Cook came to Alaska in 1976 as the executive director of the Pipeline Commission and later became the director of the Division of Minerals and Energy Management.
In 1980, he joined Chevron as Alaska's exploration representative. Mr. Cook's main focus with Chevron was to foster a working relationship between the North Slope villages and Chevron.
After Chevron closed its Anchorage office, Mr. Cook did consulting work in the oil industry.
Mr. Cook is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Lee; his children Nancy Cook and her husband Rudi Bloks, Sam Cook and his fiancee Sara Piasecki, Fade Wall and her husband Ben Hoover and their child, Isabel. He is also survived by his brothers, Ted, Jonathan and Mark Cook; and his sisters, Nancy Drake and Katherine Womack.
Mr. Cook was preceded in death by his brother, William.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Cook
Jim Williams
March 19, 2010
I am late with this, but I wanted to be sure I do an especially good job because Tom Cook was a special man. Men like him don’t come down the pike any more. The mold is broken.
Tom Cook was my best friend. Others came close, but Tom had the extra habits and virtues that put him above anyone else that I knew in my more than four score years of making and losing friends. Although, I have not seen him now for several years, I miss him even more than before he left this veil of tears. He was a “good man and true.” I wish I had known him longer.
He was a “good man and true” to his family, his friends, his job, his responsibilities, and anyone he might come in contact with. He had an unusually high respect for everyone that he thought was being honest with him, and his judgment in this regard was A-one. Never, ever, did I see or hear him belittle anyone.
As one would expect from the foregoing, Tom was fair and loving with his family. While we lived in Anchorage, my wife Lucy and I were most fortunate to frequently enjoy dinner with Tom and Mary Lee and their children. One amusing incident that solved a minor problem of discipline was when young son Sam (now a PhD), would not be quiet at the table. Tom told him, “Sam, the law requires me to house you and feed you, but it does not require me to listen to you. Will you please give the rest of us a chance to talk?”
Another incident, not amusing, but showing Tom’s love for his family and determination to keep them together and free from harm’s way was when one of their daughters unexpectedly left home and flew south one night. Tom immediately started looking for her. On learning she had flown south, he caught another plane and started searching the West Coast. Somehow, he found her within a few days of sleepless driving and inquiries and very little help from authorities – and brought her home.
Tom arrived in Alaska at about the time of the completion of the pipeline. He was soon in contact with the Native people in a continuing dialog about their fears and concerns in the far-reaching changes being made to their living patterns and habits. He became deeply involved in this and was highly respected by everyone for his practical and sensitive approaches to the problems of the Natives. He became more knowledgeable about the needs of Alaska and Alaskans in a short time than any one I knew in my 48 years of residence in the North.
As I said, he jumped to help any one and every one. I was out of the State getting married at the time of his arrival, so we did not know each other, but I needed help on a furniture-moving problem. Tom jumped into it immediately and took care of the problem.
Tom was a great friend to all and a great asset to Alaska. Thanks, Tom, for being part of my life. I’ll see you down the road… … …
March 19, 2010
Tom: I miss your tomatoes. A spring without Tom's tomatoes, like a salad that's lost it's color. See ya at your party Tom. I'll know right where to look for your energy, next to that beautiful wife of yours, MaryLee. Your friend, Cheryl Hibbert
Kevin Tubbs
March 4, 2010
Dear Mary Lee and the Cook Family,
It was our honor to know Tom. Integrity, compassion and humor are rarely packaged such an amazing way.
Our family takes this loss with yours, as Tom was always extended kin to us.
We send our love and sincere condolences to all of you. Please let us know if there is ever anything we can do for you.
At least now my Dad has someone to play with...
Respectfully,
Kevin R. Tubbs and Family.
Cindy Bailey
March 1, 2010
Mary Lee and Cook Family, I am so sorry about Tom's passing and I extend my deepest sympathy and prayers to you.
Tom was one of the nicest people I've ever known. His stories about life and times in the oil industry were so entertaining. He was kind and considerate to everyone he met and despite his great intelligence was humble and treated each person he dealt with with respect. Tom was one of the hardest workers I've ever worked with. I will miss him and those of us who were privileged to know and work with Tom grieve with you.
March 1, 2010
With so much love and sympathy for Mary Lee, Nancy, Sam and Sarah and their families. Tom's memory will always be etched in our hearts.
Lois Ann and John Wodarski
Liz Lynch
February 26, 2010
Tom really was a gentleman and a scholar and also a character. He will be missed by many...My sympathies to the Cook family...Mary Lee my heart goes out to you are yours...
Kay Cashman
February 26, 2010
Mary Lee, Tom will be sorely missed. As I am sure you know, he was wonderful to deal with. In my case, as a journalist, he was of great help in understanding issues, both before he left Chevron and after.
February 26, 2010
As a matter of information - Anonymous as listed on 2/25/2010 is the entry sent in by H.D. "Dill" and Beverly Mullis Jacksonville Florida
Thank you
Coleen Anderson
February 26, 2010
Mary Lee: I am sorry to hear about Tom's passing and wish you the best. I have fond memories of both of you and really enjoyed getting together a few years ago with "the girls" when I visited Anchorage.
Adeline Hopson
February 25, 2010
Mary Lee, we are sorry to hear about Tom's passing. He was a character and a great person to work with. We will miss him and
thank you for sharing his life with us. Our deepest sympathy to you and the family. Keep in touch Mary Lee. Charlie & Adeline Hopson
Sandy Mowrer
February 25, 2010
Mary Lee, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I still keep in touch with Alaska thru ADN on line. A voice from the past. Sandy Mowrer, Eugene Or
Drue Pearce
February 25, 2010
For the Cook Family:
I spent many a day with Tom as we hosted countless people in ANWR in the effort to get Congress to do the right thing. He was a true gentleman with integrity and intelligence. He truly cared about the people of the North Slope, especially his friends in Kaktovik. His many stories about the history of oil and gas in Alaska were priceless. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you during these sad days.
Drue Pearce
Your Friends at Hospice of Anchorage
February 25, 2010
The thoughts and hearts of everyone at Hospice of Anchorage are with Tom's family and friends--our continued support is available to anyone in his circle who would like to be in touch. We share your sorrow and wish you all moments of comfort and peace...
February 25, 2010
Mary Lee - We just heard about Tom's passing and would lie to express our deepest sympathy to you and the family - I feel very fortunate to have known, worked with and been a friend of Tom's over the years - Hopefully, your many enjoyable memories will bring comfort as you remember the Happy Days - He was an absolute pleasure to work with and will be missed by many.
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