In 1995, Cooke retired from the Mississippi Army National Guard and was placed on the retired list with the rank of brigadier general. In 1999 he retired from the University of Mississippi. Over the years he received honors: Fellow, The Royal Historical Society; Chevalier, Ordre des Palmes Académiques (France); and Fellow, The Second World War Experience Centre. He remains a member of the Division Daguet veterans association in France and a member of the Oxford post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Upon retiring from the National Guard with 34 years of service he was decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal and the Magnolia Cross of the state of Mississippi.
