Bob Perry Dies: Texas Home Builder Was Philanthropist, Funder of ‘Swift Boat’ Ads

Bob Perry, a Texas home builder and funder of conservative political causes, died on Saturday his home near Houston at age 80. Perry, who disliked public attention stemming from his financial support of political causes, nevertheless came into the public eye after he was reported to have given $4.4 million in financing to the "Swift Boat" ad campaign during the 2004 presidential race. The ads, which accused then-Democratic candidate John Kerry of overstating his military credentials as a soldier in Vietnam, were widely perceived as misleading and denounced as a smear tactic in liberal quarters.

Perry ranked third among the nation's biggest financial backers in the 2012 presidential campaign, according to publicintegrity.org. His contributions to conservative Super PACs - organizations that campaign for or against candidates in federal or state elections and are allowed to accept unlimited contributions from individuals - totaled $23.5 million that year. He also helped finance Texas Governor Rick Perry's primary bid until the governor withdrew (the two men are not related). He then began contributing to Mitt Romney's campaign, including $10 million in sponsorship to Restore Our Future, a Super PAC.

The New York Times wrote that Perry was a noted funder of projects undertaken by Republican political strategist Karl Rove, including $8.5 million committed to Rover's Super PAC American Crossroads. They also worked together in the 1980s on tort reform, attempting to limit the liability of corporations in civil lawsuits.

In a rare 2002 interview with the Houston Chronicle, Perry told the paper, "It is my view that government is not owned by anyone, least of all wealthy contributors. The direction of government taken by either Republicans or Democrats invariably reflects public opinion, which always includes the 'average voters.'"

Perry was born on Oct. 30, 1932 in rural Bosque County, Texas. After earning a degree from Baylor University, he taught high school history before going into construction and homebuilding. Perry Homes, which he founded in 1968, was said to have generated $485 million in revenues in 2012.

According to the Wall Street Journal, friends described Mr. Perry as a prudent, cautious businessman who remained involved in the day-to-day operations of his company throughout his life. A family friend called him a generous philanthropist for his work building homes for orphans and college scholarships for poor students. He also was a public supporter of affirmative action as well as a major contributor to the Texas Tribune.

He is survived by his wife Doylene, four children and several grandchildren.