H. Penson “Penny” Kaminsky, 85, of Fitzgerald GA passed away at home on October 3rd, 2026 after a long illness.
Mr. Kaminsky graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1959 and attended Emory University.
Penson returned to Fitzgerald to follow in his father’s footsteps. Joining forces with brother Larry, they worked for their father’s company, HR Kaminsky and Sons, a nationally recognized men’s garment manufacturer.
In the early 1960’s, Penson and his brother Tavin started Male Slacks and Jeans. As Executive Vice President of Sales, Penson thrived and the company went on to sit at the forefront of men’s fashion pioneering such styles as bell bottom blue jeans and becoming famous for providing Nathan’s hot dogs at garment shows, and landing Penson and Tavin on the front cover of Mens Wear magazine in 1971.
There was so much more to Penson Kaminsky than fancy denim. There were other ventures— joining forces with Billy Carter in the mid 70’s to sell Peanuts and “Billy Beer.” — but also a deep interest in history, politics, and the Democratic process itself. He was a member of the NAACP in the early 1960s, served as an aide at the Democratic National Convention in 1964 and served as Executive chair for the Ben Hill Democratic Committee in the 2000s and 2010s.
He was the Democratic Party representative on the Ben Hill County Board of Elections for several years and never missed a vote. If he were still with us, he would say “make sure you vote, dammit.” (Penson often used “dammit” to punctuate sentences.)
In 1986, Penson met the love of his life, Claudia. They married in 1989 and spent a total of 40 loving, happy years together.
The Fitzgerald Hebrew Congregation played an enormous role in Penson and Claudia’s life. Together, they helped revitalize the synagogue and assisted in breathing new life and interest into the small but thriving Jewish Community of Fitzgerald.
It would be remiss to overlook one of his most important roles at the synagogue: bartender. As a small congregation, folks enjoyed holiday meals as a community in the synagogue following services and no meal was complete without one of Penson’s Bloody Marys.
An avid gardener, he tended many varieties of plants, flowers and trees on his property. He was partial to a grapefruit tree that he grew from seed and now that tree provides bushels of delicious fruit every season. His typical encouragement to the Grapefruit tree was “keep on keeping on.”
He was extremely charismatic and quick witted and those close to him always enjoyed his company. He will be greatly missed.
Penson was preceded in death by his parents H.R. “Dick” and Annie Kaminsky and his brother Tavin A. Kaminsky
He is survived by his wife, Claudia, son, Darren and wife Judy, daughter, Kailey Kaminsky brother, Larry Kaminsky niece, Allison Kaminsky Putala, her husband Chris and nephew, George Kaminsky.
A memorial service will be held at Noon on Monday, October 5th at the Fitzgerald Hebrew Congregation in Fitzgerald, Georgia followed by a burial service at Evergreen Cemetery. Rabbi Moshe Elbaz will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Fitzgerald Hebrew Congregation, c/o Phil Perlis, P O Box 151, Tifton, GA 31793, or to Hospice Care Options, 715 Legion Drive, Eastman, GA 31023.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.