Charles Cella was known for turning Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., into one of the most successful tracks in the country. In St. Louis, his family’s companies, Southern Real Estate & Financial Co. and Southwestern Enterprises Inc., were often associated with their real estate holdings, which included iconic downtown buildings and high-end Ladue retail. Charles J. Cella died Wednesday (Dec. 6, 2017) at his home in Ladue due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 81. Mr. Cella took over as president of Oaklawn Jockey Club after the death of his father, John G. Cella, in 1968. The family real estate business, Southern Real Estate & Financial Co., was founded in 1903, and the fourth generations of Cellas now operate the closely-held firm. Mr. Cella was a frequent fixture in St. Louis high-society. He was part of the ownership group that made the first bid to win back a National Football League franchise to St. Louis after the Cardinals moved to Arizona, an effort that was ultimately upset when Jacksonville landed a team. His family was an investor in the original production of the musical “Oklahoma,” and over the years he donated to various arts organizations, as well as health research and education. Mr. Cella was born Aug. 27, 1936, in St. Louis and graduated from St. Louis Country Day School and earned an undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University in Virginia. In addition to son John G. Cella, he is survived by daughter Harriett Marshall, and son Louis A. Cella, all of St. Louis, and eight grandchildren.