Bob Perry, a homebuilder who became one of the largest Republican campaign donors in Texas and eventually the nation, gaining notoriety in 2004 as the top contributor to the “Swift Boat” ad campaign attacking John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, died on Saturday at his home in Nassau Bay, Tex., near Houston. He was 80.

His death was confirmed by Neal T. Jones Jr., a former Texas state representative and a family friend. He said Mr. Perry had died in his sleep. No cause was given.

Mr. Perry was not much for fund-raising galas, and he gave few interviews, but he spoke volumes through his political contributions.

“I have been fortunate to gain more financial strength in recent years, and I made a decision to be more involved in campaigns that I think are important,” Mr. Perry said in one of those rare interviews, in 2002.